Professor Soo studied medicine in the University of Singapore graduating in 1975. He did his surgical training in Sydney and then completed his fellowship training in surgical oncology and head and neck surgery in London and New York. After returning to Singapore General Hospital in 1988, Prof Soo became Head of the Department of Surgery in 1993 and held that position for 11 years, in addition to the role of Chair of the NUS Department of Surgery for a short period. In 1997 he became the Founding Director of the National Cancer Centre Singapore and recently retired from that position after 20 years. He was also the Senior Vice Dean of Duke NUS Medical School and now continues to hold the Benjamin Sheares Professorship in Academic Medicine. He continues to practice within Farrer Park Hospital and Icon Cancer Centre.
In his career in Singapore spanning 30 years, Prof Soo has trained numerous general surgeons and those with interest in cancer surgery and head and neck surgery. In that period of time he has had the pleasure of seeing many of these specialists become leading practitioners in their respective fields in Singapore and regionally.
Prof Soo has been recognised as the pioneer and leading cancer surgeon in Singapore. He introduced complex surgery like peritonectomies for previously inoperable cancers in the abdominal cavity and major intraabdominal tumours, including removal of invaded major blood vessels. In the field of head and neck surgery, he is renowned for performing highly complex operations for cancers in this region. He is also recognised for removal of limb soft tissue tumours and introducing isolated limb perfusion for the management of intransit metastases for skin tumours, attempting to salvage limbs which would otherwise require amputations.
Prof Soo has won several national awards including Public Administration (Gold) , National Outstanding Mentor and the President’s Science and Technology Award. He is currently the Inaugural Benjamin Shears Professor in Academic Medicine for Duke-Nus Medical School.
Prof Soo accepts referrals for all cancer types.