Dr.ย Iainย Tan
MBBS, PhD, MRCP, FAMS
Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist & Clinician-Scientist
corporate_fareNational Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
Iain Tan
MBBS, PhD, MRCP, FAMS
Professor Iain Beehuat Tan is a Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist and clinician-scientist at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), where he leads the colorectal cancer service within the GI Oncology Team. He serves as Deputy Chair of the Division of Medical Oncology at NCCS and holds the Distinguished Goh Hak Su Professorship at Duke-NUS Medical School. With over 23 years of clinical experience, he is one of Singapore's foremost experts in gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and peritoneal metastases.
Prof. Tan's clinical work is closely integrated with his research, which focuses on metastasis, drug resistance, and immunobiology in gastrointestinal cancers. He is Principal Investigator of the Calibre programme, Singapore's national liquid biopsy initiative, and serves as Platform Lead for Cancer Databases and Tissue Banks for the Singapore Translational Cancer Consortium (STCC). As Disease Champion for Colorectal Cancer in Singapore's POLARIS programme, he leads genomics-driven innovations in non-invasive diagnostics. Prof. Tan has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers in journals including Journal of Clinical Oncology, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, and Lancet Oncology, with an h-index of 39. He co-chairs SingHealth's multidisciplinary colorectal cancer tumour board and leads a team of five consultants in delivering comprehensive, team-based GI cancer care.
CancerFax can coordinate medical-record review and second-opinion consultation support for international patients seeking an opinion from Prof. Tan at National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Why Consider Prof. Iain Beehuat Tan?
Prof. Tan uniquely combines over two decades of clinical expertise in GI oncology with active translational research โ giving patients access to both leading-edge diagnostics and personalised, evidence-driven treatment planning.
Areas of Specialisation
Advanced GI oncology expertise spanning colorectal, gastric, and peritoneal cancers, underpinned by genomics and precision medicine
Prof. Tan's clinical practice encompasses the full spectrum of gastrointestinal malignancies, with particular depth in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and peritoneal metastases. His expertise bridges clinical oncology and translational science, offering patients access to biomarker-driven treatment strategies and novel clinical trials.
Colorectal Cancer
Comprehensive management of colon and rectal cancers including metastatic and liver-limited metastatic disease.
- arrow_rightSystemic chemotherapy and combination regimens
- arrow_rightTargeted therapy including anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents
- arrow_rightImmunotherapy for MSI-high colorectal cancer
- arrow_rightBiomarker-guided treatment selection (RAS, BRAF, MSI, HER2)
- arrow_rightctDNA-based monitoring for residual disease after surgery
- arrow_rightNon-invasive genomic profiling to guide treatment decisions
- arrow_rightCalibre programme โ Singapore's national ctDNA initiative
Gastric Cancer
Specialised management of advanced and metastatic gastric and gastro-oesophageal junction cancers.
- arrow_rightMolecular subtyping and genomics-directed systemic therapy
- arrow_rightHER2-targeted therapy for HER2-positive gastric cancer
- arrow_rightImmunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors for eligible patients
- arrow_rightChemotherapy protocols for locally advanced and metastatic disease
Peritoneal Metastases & HPB Cancers
Expert management of peritoneal-based malignancies and hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers.
- arrow_rightSystemic and intraperitoneal treatment planning
- arrow_rightMultidisciplinary coordination for complex peritoneal disease
- arrow_rightHepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma management
- arrow_rightOesophageal cancer and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours
Procedures & Treatment Approaches
Clinical services provided at National Cancer Centre Singapore
Prof. Tan offers a comprehensive range of medical oncology services for gastrointestinal cancers, from systemic treatment planning to genomic diagnostics and clinical trial access.
Systemic Cancer Treatment
Medical OncologyPersonalised systemic treatment planning for colorectal, gastric, and peritoneal cancers.
Biomarker & Genomic Testing
Targeted TherapyGenomic profiling and non-invasive diagnostics to guide precision oncology decisions.
Early-Phase Clinical Trials
Complex DiseaseAccess to innovative early-phase trials through NCCS and national research programmes.
Multidisciplinary Review & Second Opinion
Second OpinionComprehensive second opinions and tumour board reviews for complex GI cancer cases.
Research & Publications
Over 100 peer-reviewed publications with an h-index of 39 in leading international journals
Prof. Tan's research centres on metastasis, drug resistance, and immunobiology in gastrointestinal cancers, with a particular focus on non-invasive diagnostics using circulating tumour DNA and early-phase clinical trials. He is Principal Investigator of multiple national and consortium grants.
Prof. Tan's laboratory research at the Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR focuses on metastasis biology, ctDNA diagnostics, and genomic subtypes of gastrointestinal cancers. A full publication list is available via Google Scholar and PubMed.
Education & Training
Prof. Tan completed his undergraduate medical training at the National University of Singapore and went on to obtain specialist qualifications in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, as well as a PhD in Cancer Genomics from NUS.
Clinical Experience
Prof. Tan joined the National Cancer Centre Singapore in 2007 and has built a distinguished career spanning clinical leadership, translational research, and national health policy, serving in senior roles at NCCS, SingHealth, A*STAR, and Duke-NUS Medical School.
Languages & International
Prof. Tan consults in the following languages.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients requiring assistance beyond the languages listed above.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for patients consulting in other languages.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Iain Tan
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Iain Tan's team โ with full coordination from initial inquiry to consultation.
Medical Report Review
Free review of your pathology results, imaging, molecular profiling, and treatment history โ prepared as a structured clinical summary for Dr. Iain Tan's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Iain Tan before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Iain Tan's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Iain Tan's team, confirming availability and aligning timelines with your travel plans.
Travel, Visa & Logistics Support
We prepare visa invitation letters, provide hospital-proximity accommodation guidance, and coordinate airport transfers for international patients.
Follow-Up & Continuity of Care
After your consultation or treatment, CancerFax facilitates communication between Dr. Iain Tan's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prof. Iain Beehuat Tan
Prof. Tan specialises in colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancers, including metastatic colorectal cancer), gastric cancer (stomach cancer), peritoneal metastases, and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. He also manages oesophageal cancer and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours.
National Cancer Centre Singapore treats international patients and offers second opinion services for GI cancer cases. CancerFax can coordinate medical-record review, case preparation, and consultation support for international patients seeking an opinion from Prof. Tan, subject to hospital availability and case acceptance.
Submit your medical reports through CancerFax. The CancerFax team will review the documents, prepare a structured case summary, and coordinate the next steps with NCCS, subject to availability. A second-opinion request should include pathology reports, imaging, treatment history, and relevant genomic or molecular test results.
The Calibre programme is Singapore's national liquid biopsy programme, of which Prof. Tan is Principal Investigator. It uses circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) technology to monitor patients for residual or recurrent disease after colorectal cancer surgery, enabling earlier detection through a non-invasive blood test rather than repeat imaging or biopsies.
Prof. Tan offers personalised systemic treatment planning including chemotherapy, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1/PD-L1), targeted therapies such as anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents, and HER2-targeted therapy for eligible gastric cancer patients. He also facilitates access to early-phase clinical trials for eligible patients and uses genomic profiling and liquid biopsy to guide precision treatment decisions.
Prof. Tan practises at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), located at 30 Hospital Boulevard, Singapore 168583. NCCS is one of Asia's leading dedicated cancer centres and is part of the SingHealth cluster.
Connect with Iain Tan Today
Share your medical reports for a free preliminary review. Our patient coordinators will help you understand your options and arrange a direct consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.