Preparing Documents for Pre-Review in Korea: What's Required? (2026 Guide)

To receive a pre-review from medical staff at a tertiary general hospital in Korea, you'll need to submit imaging data, pathology/biopsy reports, a diagnosis certificate, medication history, and genetic/biomarker test results as the basic requirements. Once all records are complete, you'll receive a written opinion within 5 business days.

Key Summary

• Five essential items: imaging (DICOM), pathology/biopsy reports, diagnosis certificate, medication history, and genetic/biomarker test results.
• Imaging must be uploaded as original DICOM files for CT, MRI, and PET-CT. You can upload up to 500MB per file or send a compressed (zip) file.
• Documents can be submitted in their original language regardless of language — translation and organization into Korean will be handled by the coordinating team.
• Once all records are complete, you'll receive a written opinion in your own language within 5 business days. The review fee is KRW 1,000,000, which is deducted from treatment costs if you proceed with a treatment contract.
• If any records are missing, a coordinator will contact you first, and that waiting period is not counted within the 5-business-day timeline.

What Exactly Needs to Be Submitted?

• Pre-review is the process by which medical staff at a tertiary general hospital in Korea examine your imaging and biopsy results before you travel to Korea, and provide a written opinion. The following documents are required as a baseline.
• Imaging (DICOM) — Submit CT, MRI, and PET-CT scans as original DICOM files whenever possible. Photographed screen captures or paper printouts have limited diagnostic value and are not recommended; including the radiology report alongside the images is also helpful.
• Pathology/biopsy reports — The original report must include histologic type, differentiation grade, and, if resection was performed, resection margin status. If you have retained slides or paraffin blocks, please note this, as re-examination and additional testing can be performed in Korea.
• Diagnosis certificate — A document stating the diagnosis, date of diagnosis, and clinical course to date.
• Medication history — Provide a summary of chemotherapy/targeted therapy drugs received, including names, dosages, number of cycles, start/stop dates and reasons for discontinuation, response to treatment, and all medications currently being taken (including anticoagulants, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medications).
• Genetic/biomarker testing — All available results for HER2, EGFR, ALK, PD-L1, MSI/MMR, CLDN18.2, NGS reports, etc., along with test dates and specimen source.
• In addition, it's advisable to submit prior surgical records, previous radiation therapy records (site, dose, number of sessions), recent blood tests, and cardiac/pulmonary function tests if available. Depending on cancer type — for example, liver cancer — additional items such as liver function tests, tumor markers (e.g., AFP), hepatitis testing, and procedure history may be requested.

What Is the Submission Process?

• Step 1: Upload records — Upload imaging, biopsy reports, and diagnosis certificate, and answer a medical history questionnaire.
• Step 2: Organization and translation — Submitted records are organized and translated into Korean before being passed to medical staff. You may submit documents in their original language; no translation is required on your part.
• Step 3: Medical staff review — A team with expertise in the relevant cancer type from the oncology/surgery departments of a tertiary general hospital cross-reviews the case.
• Step 4: Delivery of the opinion — Once all records are complete, you'll receive a written opinion in your own language within 5 business days, including staging and treatability assessment, recommended treatment approach with expected duration, itemized cost ranges, a comparison of 3 hospitals matching your conditions, package cost estimates, and a list of any additional tests needed.

FAQ — How Do I Send Imaging That Came on a CD?

Simply compress the entire folder from the CD and upload it. You can upload up to 500MB per file, and you may select multiple files at once or bundle them into a zip file. If uploading is difficult, a coordinator can guide you on sending files via email instead.

FAQ — My Records Are Only in Russian or Chinese. Do I Need to Translate Them Before Sending?

No translation is needed — simply submit the original documents as they are. The coordinating team will organize the records, translate them into Korean, and pass them on to medical staff. The completed opinion will then be returned to you in your own language. Regardless of language, the review fee of KRW 1,000,000 applies uniformly, and this amount is deducted from treatment costs if you proceed with a treatment contract.

Sources and Notes

• This article was written based on pre-review procedures, insurance and documentation, and treatment journey notes (sources: mohw.go.kr, medicalkorea.or.kr, cancer.go.kr).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment approach, and outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Please consult with medical staff to determine accurate diagnosis and treatment.