Dr Johann Tang — Radiation Oncologist in Singapore

Dr Johann Tang is a senior consultant radiation oncologist and medical director of ME Novena Specialist Group in Singapore. His listed areas of practice include prostate cancer (brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy), breast cancer, paediatric cancers, head and neck cancers, gynaecological cancers, and image-guided and stereotactic radiotherapy techniques.

He is also an assistant professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, and previously practised at the National University Hospital.

Clinical focus

Radiation oncology.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Aust), FRANZCR (Radiation Oncology), FAMS.

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: ME Novena Specialist Group — Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Irrawaddy Road
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital; formerly National University Hospital

Getting to the clinic

Dr Johann Tang is medical director of ME Novena Specialist Group, based at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital on Irrawaddy Road in the Novena area. The nearest train station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South Line, which sits beneath a shopping mall connected by sheltered walkways to the surrounding medical buildings. From the station, lifts and covered links make the walk to the hospital straightforward, which is helpful for patients attending repeated radiotherapy sessions.

Novena is served by several bus routes, and taxis or ride-hailing services can set you down at the hospital’s drop-off point, convenient for anyone who is fatigued during a course of treatment. The hospital has a paid visitor carpark for those who drive, and spaces can be busy at clinic times, so allow extra time. On a first visit, arrive early to register and complete any paperwork, and confirm the exact suite when you book.

What radiation oncology covers

Radiation oncology uses carefully targeted radiation to treat cancer, either to cure it, to control it, or to relieve symptoms such as pain or bleeding. Dr Tang’s listed areas of practice include prostate cancer using brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy, breast cancer, paediatric cancers, head and neck cancers, gynaecological cancers, and image-guided and stereotactic radiotherapy techniques. Modern techniques aim to deliver an effective dose to the tumour while sparing nearby healthy tissue as much as possible.

External beam radiotherapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body, while brachytherapy places radioactive sources close to or within the tumour. Image-guided and stereotactic methods improve precision, allowing tightly focused, sometimes higher-dose treatment. Radiotherapy is frequently combined with surgery or systemic treatment as part of a coordinated plan.

What to expect at a consultation

A first consultation usually involves a review of your diagnosis, scans, biopsy results and any treatment so far, along with a history of your symptoms and general health. The doctor will examine you and explain whether radiotherapy is appropriate, what type, and what it aims to achieve. If you proceed, a planning session — sometimes called simulation — is arranged, in which imaging is used to map the treatment area precisely; small marks may be placed on the skin to help position you accurately each session.

The oncologist will explain the number of sessions, the likely side effects and how they are managed, and the schedule. Treatment is usually given as a series of short daily appointments over days or weeks, depending on the plan.

Preparing for your appointment

Useful things to bring include:

• Photo identification and any GP, polyclinic or specialist referral letter.
• Relevant scans, biopsy and pathology reports, and previous treatment summaries.
• A full list of current medicines and supplements with doses.
• A written timeline of your symptoms.
• Notes on any previous radiotherapy, as this can affect planning.
• A list of questions, and ideally someone to accompany you.

After your consultation and follow-up

If radiotherapy goes ahead, you will attend planning and then your treatment sessions, with the team monitoring side effects along the way. After treatment, follow-up visits check how the cancer has responded and manage any lingering effects, using examinations and scans as needed. Radiation oncology is part of multidisciplinary care, so you may also see surgeons or medical oncologists. A second opinion is a reasonable step at any point. Seek urgent help for severe pain, high fever, or any reaction your team has warned you to watch for.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private specialist, Dr Tang can usually be seen without a referral, though a referral letter helps with background and with subsidy eligibility at public clinics. For eligible treatments and procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally out of pocket. Radiotherapy costs depend on the technique and number of sessions, so confirm fees and insurance coverage directly with the clinic before starting.

Common questions

What is the difference between external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy?

External beam radiotherapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body, while brachytherapy places radioactive sources close to or within the tumour. The choice depends on the cancer and its location.

Is radiotherapy painful?

The treatment itself is not felt at the time. Side effects can develop over a course of treatment and are managed by the team; they vary with the area being treated.

How many sessions will I need?

This depends on the cancer type, aim of treatment and technique. Some courses are a single or few sessions, while others run daily over several weeks.

Will I be radioactive after treatment?

With standard external beam radiotherapy you are not radioactive to others. Brachytherapy follows specific safety advice, which your team will explain clearly.

Managing side effects through a course of radiotherapy

Because radiotherapy is usually delivered as a series of short daily sessions, side effects tend to build gradually over the course rather than appear all at once, and they depend heavily on the area being treated. Skin in the treated region can become red, dry or tender, much like a mild sunburn, and the team will advise on gentle skincare and what products to avoid. Tiredness is common and can accumulate as treatment progresses, so it helps to plan lighter days, accept support with transport, and rest when you need to. Depending on the site treated, more specific effects can occur, and these are explained in advance so you know what to expect and when to raise a concern. Telling your team promptly about new or worsening symptoms allows them to manage these early.

Practical tips for daily treatment visits

Attending treatment most days for a period is easier with a little routine. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing, keeping the treated skin as the team advises, and arranging reliable transport all reduce the strain. Keeping your appointment schedule somewhere visible, and noting any questions as they come up so you can ask at the next visit, helps you stay on top of a course that can run over several weeks.

Related guides

• Cancer treatment cost
• Cancer screening

See also: our editorial directory of cancer specialists (oncologists & haematologists) in Singapore and our shortlist of oncology clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.