Tamarind Health Opens Rare Cancer Centre in Singapore With Nine Specialists

The center brings together nine oncology and hematology specialists from across the Tamarind Health network. It aims to help patients, families, and referring physicians connect with doctors whose expertise aligns with specific cancer types and individual diagnostic and treatment needs.

In a press release dated October 9, 2026, Tamarind Health said the center was established to connect patients with specialists experienced in treating particular types of cancer. The service may also provide an information resource for patients from Indonesia who are considering specialized cancer care in Singapore.

Rare cancers can present distinct challenges because patients may need specialized testing, confirmation of a diagnosis, and care from physicians familiar with the characteristics of a particular disease.

Tamarind Health cited research estimating that approximately one in five cancer diagnoses falls into the rare cancer category. Although individual rare cancers are uncommon, the group collectively represents a substantial share of cancer cases.

Nine Specialists Cover Five Rare Cancer Categories

The Rare Cancer Centre covers five major disease groups: hematologic malignancies and lymphoma, sarcoma, rare skin cancers, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and brain cancers.

The nine physicians affiliated with the center are Dr. Akhil Chopra, Dr. Colin Phipps Diong, Dr. Foo Kian Fong, Dr. Angela Pang, Dr. Richard Quek, Dr. Tanujaa Rajasekaran, Dr. Kevin Tay, Dr. Wong Siew Wei, and Dr. Valerie Yang.

Lim Eng Seng, group chief executive officer of Tamarind Health, said the center was designed to bring together specialist expertise from facilities across the company's network.

“The Rare Cancer Centre reflects the purpose behind Tamarind Health: bringing together specialist expertise across our network to address patients’ needs,” Lim said.

According to Lim, this approach is intended to help patients find physicians with relevant expertise and support the development of care plans tailored to their individual circumstances.

Second Opinions Can Help Clarify Rare Cancer Diagnoses

Diagnosing some rare cancers may require specialized pathology testing and further evaluation to identify the precise tumor type and subtype. In certain cases, patients may also seek a second opinion to better understand their diagnosis and available treatment options.

The importance of specialist expertise was highlighted in a systematic review cited in the source materials and published in the journal Pathology in 2026. The review reported substantial differences between initial diagnoses and specialist assessments in more than 20% of sarcoma cases across five studies.

The findings underscore the potential value of specialist evaluation in selected cases. However, the figure applies to the studies reviewed and should not be generalized to all cancer diagnoses. It also does not represent an assessment of the Rare Cancer Centre itself.

Dr. Kevin Tay, a senior consultant medical oncologist at OncoCare, said rare cancers can pose challenges for both patients and healthcare professionals because experience treating specific disease types may not be widely available.

“By bringing rare cancer specialists together, we can draw on our collective experience and extensive multidisciplinary network to help establish accurate diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment approaches,” Tay said.

He said the collaboration is intended to support patients throughout the diagnostic and treatment process.

Centre Offers Information for Patients and Referring Physicians

The Rare Cancer Centre provides an information channel for patients and referring physicians seeking expertise relevant to a particular case.

Patients from Indonesia who are considering treatment in Singapore can explore information about participating physicians and their areas of expertise. Physicians already caring for patients can also contact the center to discuss cases or make referrals.

However, the availability of a specialized center does not automatically determine the most appropriate treatment for every patient. Care decisions should take into account the confirmed diagnosis, recommendations from the treating physician, available treatment options, clinical condition, and individual needs.

In addition to its clinical services, Tamarind Health organizes educational activities for healthcare professionals. On October 3, 2026, Dr. Richard Quek, Dr. Angela Pang, and Dr. Valerie Yang led a webinar on sarcoma.

Information about participating physicians, their specialties, and consultation access is available through the official Tamarind Health Rare Cancer Centre website.

Tamarind Health is an integrated healthcare group focused on oncology, with a network spanning Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and mainland China. Its services include cancer diagnosis and treatment, patient support, and recovery care.

Medical Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice about your individual health needs.