Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon
MBBS, FRCS (Ed), FAMS, PhD
CEO, Singapore General Hospital; Senior Consultant, NCCS & SingHealth Duke-NUS Head & Neck Centre
corporate_fareSingapore General Hospital & National Cancer Centre Singapore
Tan Hiang Khoon
MBBS, FRCS (Ed), FAMS, PhD
Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon is a highly respected head and neck cancer surgeon based in Singapore, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Singapore General Hospital and Senior Consultant at the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre. He received his MBBS from the National University of Singapore in 1991, earned a PhD in Science from the University of Bristol, and underwent advanced head and neck surgical oncology training at Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris.
Over more than three decades, Dr. Tan has built a practice centred on the resection of complex head and neck malignancies, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, salivary gland surgery, and endoscopic and robotic head and neck approaches. He is recognised as one of the pioneers in endoscopic and robotic head and neck surgery in Singapore. In 2013, he was instrumental in establishing the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Disease Centre — the first disease-based multidisciplinary cancer centre of its kind within SingHealth — bringing together surgeons, oncologists, speech therapists, nurses, and allied health professionals. His academic work spans over 3,000 Google Scholar citations, an h-index of 29, and an i10-index of 70, focusing on biomarker-driven prognostication, epigenetic profiling, and clinical trials in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
International patients may seek appointment coordination through CancerFax, subject to hospital availability and clinical case review.
Why Consider Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon?
Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon combines over 35 years of clinical experience with pioneering surgical techniques and institutional leadership at Singapore's foremost cancer centres.
Areas of Specialisation
Surgical oncology expertise across the full spectrum of head and neck malignancies
Dr. Tan's practice spans complex head and neck cancer resection, robotic and endoscopic approaches, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, and salivary gland surgery, supported by a multidisciplinary tumour board model at Singapore General Hospital and the National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Complex surgical oncology for malignancies across the head and neck region.
- arrow_rightSurgical resection of hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, nasopharyngeal, and oropharyngeal cancers
- arrow_rightManagement of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
- arrow_rightSurgery for radiation-induced and post-irradiation head and neck malignancies
- arrow_rightNeck dissection and head and neck reconstructive procedures
- arrow_rightTransoral robotic surgery (TORS) for eligible head and neck cancers
- arrow_rightEndoscopic head and neck surgical approaches
- arrow_rightTransaxillary robotic and endoscopic thyroid surgery
Thyroid, Parathyroid and Salivary Gland Surgery
Specialised endocrine and salivary gland surgery including minimally invasive approaches.
- arrow_rightThyroidectomy including conventional, endoscopic, and robotic approaches
- arrow_rightSurgery for thyroid malignancies and benign thyroid disease
- arrow_rightParathyroid surgery for hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid tumours
- arrow_rightSurgical management of parotid, submandibular, and minor salivary gland tumours
- arrow_rightSurgery for benign and malignant salivary gland conditions
Procedures Performed
Surgical and clinical services for head and neck oncology
Dr. Tan performs a broad range of surgical procedures for head and neck malignancies and related conditions, including advanced robotic and endoscopic approaches, within the multidisciplinary framework of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre.
Head and Neck Cancer Surgery
Complex DiseaseSurgical resection of complex head and neck malignancies including laryngectomy, neck dissection, skull base surgery, and reconstructive procedures.
Robotic and Endoscopic Surgery
MultidisciplinaryMinimally invasive robotic and endoscopic approaches for eligible head and neck cancer and thyroid cases.
Thyroid and Salivary Gland Surgery
Complex DiseaseSurgical management of thyroid, parathyroid, and salivary gland conditions including both benign and malignant disease.
Multidisciplinary Tumour Review and Second Opinion
Second OpinionComplex head and neck cancer cases are reviewed through the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Tumour Board, involving surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and allied health teams.
Research and Publications
Clinical research and peer-reviewed contributions in head and neck oncology
Dr. Tan's research focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, epigenetic and genetic biomarkers, prognostic and risk stratification, and translational clinical research. His Google Scholar profile lists over 3,000 citations, an h-index of 29, and an i10-index of 70.
A full publication list is available on Dr. Tan's Google Scholar and Duke-NUS faculty profiles.
Education & Training
Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon trained at the National University of Singapore, the University of Bristol, and Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris, earning specialist qualifications in surgery, oncology, and head and neck surgical oncology.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon has held senior surgical, academic, and institutional leadership roles at Singapore General Hospital, National Cancer Centre Singapore, and SingHealth for over three decades.
Languages & International
Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon consults in the following language.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients consulting at Singapore General Hospital or National Cancer Centre Singapore.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients when required.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon's team — with full coordination from initial inquiry to consultation.
Medical Report Review
Free review of your pathology results, imaging, molecular profiling, and treatment history — prepared as a structured clinical summary for Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon'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. Tan Hiang Khoon's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Tan Hiang Khoon
Dr. Tan specialises in head and neck cancers including hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, thyroid cancer, salivary gland tumours, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and skin cancer and melanoma of the head and neck region. He also treats post-irradiation head and neck malignancies.
Dr. Tan is associated with Singapore General Hospital, where he serves as Chief Executive Officer, and with the National Cancer Centre Singapore and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre, where he holds appointments as Senior Consultant.
Yes. Dr. Tan is recognised as one of the pioneers of endoscopic and robotic head and neck surgery in Singapore. His practice includes transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for eligible head and neck cancers and transaxillary robotic thyroidectomy.
International patients may submit their medical reports through CancerFax. The CancerFax team will review the documents, prepare the case, and coordinate with Singapore General Hospital or National Cancer Centre Singapore on the patient's behalf, subject to hospital availability and clinical case acceptance.
A second-opinion request can be submitted through CancerFax with the patient's pathology reports, imaging, treatment history, and relevant test results. Complex head and neck cancer cases at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Head and Neck Centre are reviewed through a multidisciplinary tumour board. Final consultation format and availability are subject to the hospital's clinical review process.
Dr. Tan's research focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, epigenetic and genetic biomarkers, prognostic and risk stratification, and translational clinical research. His Google Scholar profile lists over 3,000 citations and an h-index of 29, with contributions to high-impact journals including British Journal of Cancer, Head and Neck, and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.
Connect with Tan Hiang Khoon Today
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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.