Publication Name	World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
Manuscript ID	109060
Country	South Korea

Category	Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Manuscript Type	Retrospective Cohort Study
Article Title	Medical travel patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in South Korea: National Health Insurance data from 2013 to 2021
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Sungmin Kim, Naeun Kim, Hyung-Sik Lee, Mina Kim, Hoseob Kim and Youngmin Choi
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number Dong-A University Research Fund 20230598
Corresponding Author	Youngmin Choi, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Daesingongwon-ro 26, Seo-gu, Busan 49201, South Korea. cymin00@dau.ac.kr
Key Words	Hepatocellular carcinoma; Medical travel; Regional disparities; National Health Insurance Service; Healthcare centralization
Core Tip	This nationwide retrospective cohort study examined domestic medical travel patterns among patients newly diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma in South Korea. Despite universal health insurance and open provider access, over half of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma traveled to the capital for initial treatment. Younger age, higher income, and residence in non-capital regions were key drivers of medical travel. These findings highlighted the persistent regional disparities and indicate that policy efforts to strengthen regional cancer centers should be made to ensure geographically equitable access to specialized care.
Citation	Kim S, Kim N, Lee HS, Kim M, Kim H, Choi Y. Medical travel patterns for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment in South Korea: National Health Insurance data from 2013 to 2021. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2025; In press

Received	2025-04-30 07:52
Peer-Review Started	2025-04-30 07:52
To Make the First Decision
Return for Revision	2025-05-27 23:29
Revised	2025-06-07 11:28
Second Decision	2025-07-21 02:57
Accepted by Journal Editor-in-Chief
Accepted by Executive Editor-in-Chief	2025-07-21 09:07
Articles in Press	2025-07-21 09:07
Publication Fee Transferred	2025-06-15 23:43
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	1948-5204 (online)
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