Dr.ย Sun Youngย Rha
MD, PhD
Professor of Medical Oncology
corporate_fareYonsei Cancer Center / Severance Hospital, Seoul
Sun Young Rha
MD, PhD
Prof. Sun Young Rha is a Professor of Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine at Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea. She is one of South Korea's foremost clinical researchers in gastrointestinal oncology, with more than 20 years of experience in treating and researching gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal cancers.
Prof. Rha completed her MD and PhD training at Yonsei University College of Medicine, followed by clinical and research fellowship training in medical oncology at Yonsei Cancer Center and a post-doctoral fellowship at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She currently also serves as Director of the Songdang Institute for Cancer Research and has held leadership roles including Chair of the Gastric Cancer Committee at the Korea Cancer Study Group and Chairman of the Korea Cancer Association. Her academic output spans more than 470 peer-reviewed research contributions, with a clinical and translational focus on HER2-directed therapy, immunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitors, and biomarker-driven treatment strategies in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal cancers. CancerFax can coordinate medical report review and consultation support for international patients seeking an expert opinion from Prof. Rha.
Severance Hospital operates a dedicated International Health Care Center with consultation support for international patients. CancerFax can help coordinate medical report submission and consultation access for patients from outside South Korea.
Why Consider Prof. Sun Young Rha?
Prof. Rha is a globally recognised authority in gastric and gastrointestinal oncology, combining extensive clinical practice with a deep involvement in landmark international clinical trials and translational research.
Areas of Specialisation
Advanced gastrointestinal oncology with a focus on precision medicine, HER2-directed therapy, and immunotherapy for gastric, GEJ, and esophageal cancers
Prof. Rha's clinical practice centres on evidence-based, biomarker-guided treatment for patients with advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction, and esophageal cancers. Her work integrates the latest trial data with individualised patient care.
Gastric & Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer
Comprehensive management of advanced and metastatic gastric and GEJ cancers, including biomarker-stratified systemic therapy.
- arrow_rightHER2-directed treatment planning based on IHC and FISH profiling
- arrow_rightTrastuzumab-based combination regimens
- arrow_rightTrastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in HER2-positive disease
- arrow_rightSequential HER2 therapy in later-line settings
- arrow_rightPembrolizumab-based immunotherapy combinations
- arrow_rightRamucirumab-based combinations for eligible patients
- arrow_rightChemotherapy protocol selection and optimisation
- arrow_rightBiomarker assessment including PD-L1 and MSI status
Esophageal Cancer
Systemic treatment for esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, including immunotherapy and combined modality approaches.
- arrow_rightHER2 and biomarker-guided systemic therapy
- arrow_rightImmunotherapy for PD-L1-positive disease
- arrow_rightTreatment planning in the context of multidisciplinary tumour board review
- arrow_rightClinical trial access for eligible patients
- arrow_rightTranslational biomarker research to guide treatment selection
- arrow_rightMultidisciplinary care coordination
Procedures & Treatment Approaches
Clinical services in systemic oncology for gastrointestinal cancers
Prof. Rha's clinical services encompass all major systemic treatment modalities for gastric and gastrointestinal cancers, combined with translational research and clinical trial access.
Systemic Cancer Treatment
Medical OncologyChemotherapy and combination systemic regimens for advanced gastric, GEJ, and esophageal cancers.
HER2-Directed Therapy
Targeted TherapyTargeted treatment for HER2-positive gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.
Immunotherapy
Medical OncologyPD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy for selected gastric and GEJ cancers.
Clinical Trials & Molecular Staging
DiagnosisBiomarker-driven clinical staging and access to investigational treatment through clinical trial participation.
Second Opinion Consultations
Second OpinionIndependent expert review for patients with gastric, GEJ, and esophageal cancer diagnoses.
Research & Publications
Translational GI oncology research and international clinical trial contributions
Prof. Rha has contributed to more than 470 peer-reviewed academic outputs, with a research focus spanning HER2-directed therapy, immunotherapy in gastric and GEJ cancer, and translational precision oncology.
Prof. Rha's active involvement in international clinical trials may provide eligible patients access to investigational therapies. CancerFax can help coordinate case review and trial eligibility assessment.
Education & Training
Prof. Rha trained at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Seoul and completed post-doctoral research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Clinical Experience
Prof. Rha has built her career entirely at Yonsei University Health System, advancing through fellowship, faculty, and professorial roles while leading cancer research and clinical trial programmes at Yonsei Cancer Center and Severance Hospital.
Languages & International
Prof. Rha consults in the following languages.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients consulting with Prof. Rha.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients where required.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Sun Young Rha
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Sun Young Rha'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. Sun Young Rha's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Sun Young Rha before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Sun Young Rha's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Sun Young Rha'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. Sun Young Rha's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prof. Sun Young Rha
Severance Hospital operates a dedicated International Health Care Center that provides consultation support for patients from outside South Korea. CancerFax can coordinate medical report submission and consultation access for international patients seeking an expert opinion from Prof. Rha, subject to hospital availability and case acceptance.
Prof. Rha specialises in gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, and esophageal cancer. Her clinical and research focus includes both HER2-positive and HER2-negative gastric and GEJ cancers, with particular expertise in immunotherapy, HER2-directed therapy, and biomarker-guided treatment strategies for advanced and metastatic disease.
Submit your medical reports through CancerFax using the Send Your Reports button. The CancerFax team will review your documents, prepare your case for submission, and coordinate the next steps with the hospital, subject to availability and case acceptance.
A second-opinion request can be submitted through CancerFax with the patient's pathology reports, HER2 and biomarker results, imaging, treatment history, and relevant test results. The final consultation format and availability depend on Prof. Rha's institution. Prof. Rha's expertise in HER2-positive and HER2-negative gastric cancer makes her particularly well-suited for complex cases requiring biomarker-guided treatment review.
Prof. Rha's clinical approach to gastric and GEJ cancer includes chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFOX and XELOX, HER2-directed therapy including trastuzumab and trastuzumab deruxtecan, immunotherapy including pembrolizumab-based combinations, and ramucirumab-based regimens. Treatment selection is guided by HER2 status, PD-L1 expression, MSI status, and other biomarker profiling.
Yes. Prof. Rha has been involved in major international gastric cancer trials including KEYNOTE-859, which studied pembrolizumab-based therapy in HER2-negative gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma, as well as studies of trastuzumab deruxtecan in gastric and GEJ cancer. CancerFax can help assess trial eligibility for patients whose cases are submitted for review.
Connect with Sun Young Rha 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.