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Dr Ross Soo — Medical Oncologist in Singapore

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Dr Ross Soo is a Senior Consultant in the Department of Haematology-Oncology at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS). Areas of clinical focus include lung cancer.

Clinical focus

Lung cancer.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Monash University, Melbourne), Fellowship (RACP), Fellowship (Academy of Medicine Singapore)

Where they practise

Ross Soo practises at National University Cancer Institute, Singapore (NCIS), in the Department of Haematology-Oncology. See the official profile linked below for current clinic and appointment details.

About Medical Oncology

Medical oncology is the treatment of cancer using medicines — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy. Medical oncologists diagnose and stage cancers, plan and deliver systemic (drug) treatment, manage side effects, and coordinate care within a multidisciplinary team alongside surgeons and radiation oncologists. They care for a wide range of solid tumours — including breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and gynaecological cancers — from early-stage disease through to advanced and palliative care. Treatment plans are tailored to the cancer type, stage and the individual, and are increasingly guided by tumour genetics.

Conditions and treatments commonly covered

Areas commonly seen in medical oncology include:

  • Breast cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Colorectal and gastrointestinal cancer
  • Genitourinary cancer (prostate, kidney, bladder)
  • Gynaecological cancer
  • Chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy

What to expect at a consultation

An initial consultation usually involves a discussion of your symptoms and medical history, a focused examination, and any tests needed to reach a diagnosis. The specialist will explain the findings, walk you through your options — including non-surgical approaches where relevant — and set out the likely costs and next steps before anything proceeds. If a procedure is recommended, it is reasonable to ask what it involves, the expected recovery time, the risks and the alternatives, so you can make an informed decision at your own pace. It helps to keep asking questions until you fully understand the plan.

Preparing for your appointment

  • Bring referral letters, past reports, scan images and a list of your current medications.
  • Note your main symptoms, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
  • Write down the questions that matter most to you, and bring a family member if it helps.

After your consultation and follow-up

Depending on the diagnosis, you may be given medication, referred for further tests or imaging, scheduled for a procedure, or asked to return for review. Ask what warning signs should prompt earlier contact, how to get your results, and who to reach if you have questions between visits. Keeping your own copy of reports makes future care and any second opinion easier.

Costs, subsidies and financing in Singapore

For subsidised care at a public (restructured) hospital, a referral from a GP or polyclinic is generally needed; private specialists can usually be booked directly at full fees. Ask upfront for an estimate covering the consultation, tests and any procedure. Depending on the treatment, you may be able to use MediSave for approved day-surgery and procedures (within set limits), with MediShield Life or an Integrated Shield Plan helping for larger inpatient bills. Purely cosmetic procedures are not claimable. If cost is a concern, it is worth asking whether a subsidised referral is possible, and comparing written estimates between providers before you commit.

How to choose the right medical oncologist in Singapore

Beyond credentials, it helps to match the specialist to your specific problem. Consider whether their sub-specialty fits your condition, how often they manage or operate on cases like yours, which hospital they admit to (and whether it suits your budget and insurance), and how clearly they explain your options and costs. Accreditation can be confirmed on the Register of Specialists and registration on the Singapore Medical Council register. Independent reviews are a useful signal for communication and experience, but weigh them alongside credentials rather than on their own.

Questions worth asking at your first consultation

  • Are you an accredited specialist in the area my condition falls under?
  • What are my options, including non-surgical or watch-and-wait approaches?
  • How often do you treat or perform this, and what are the typical outcomes and risks?
  • What is the full estimated cost, and what can I claim through MediSave or insurance?
  • Are you comfortable with me seeking a second opinion?

Verifying credentials

In Singapore every practising doctor must be registered with the Singapore Medical Council, and specialists are additionally listed on the Register of Specialists maintained by the Specialist Accreditation Board — you can search both to confirm a doctor’s registration and field. The letters after a name (such as MRCP, FRCS or FAMS) reflect postgraduate training and fellowships, but the key question is simply whether the doctor is an accredited specialist in the area relevant to your care.

When to consider a second opinion

A second opinion is reasonable before major surgery, for a serious or unclear diagnosis, or when a recommended treatment feels aggressive or uncertain. Good specialists welcome it. Bring your reports and scans so the second doctor can assess the same information. You are entitled to a copy of your medical records to take along, and seeking another view will not offend a good specialist.

Common questions

What does a medical oncologist do?

They treat cancer with medicines — chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy — and coordinate care with surgeons and radiation oncologists.

Do I need a referral to see an oncologist?

For subsidised public care a referral is generally needed; a suspected or confirmed cancer diagnosis is usually referred promptly.

Are newer cancer treatments available in Singapore?

Yes — targeted therapies and immunotherapy are widely used, often guided by tumour testing; your oncologist will explain what suits your cancer.

Do I need a referral to see this specialist?

For subsidised care at a public hospital you generally need a GP or polyclinic referral; private specialists can usually be seen directly.

How can I verify a doctor’s credentials?

Check the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and the Register of Specialists for accredited specialists.

Selected research & publications

Ross Soo has contributed to peer-reviewed research in medical oncology. A selection of published work:

Related guides

Sources & verification

Profile details are summarised from the doctor’s official listing (official profile). Registration can be verified on the Singapore Medical Council’s Register of Medical Practitioners, and specialist accreditation on the Register of Specialists.

General information only, not medical advice. Details may change — confirm current clinic, availability and fees with the provider.

See also: our editorial directory of medical oncologists in Singapore.

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