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Engineering your own immune system to target hematological malignancies. China leads the world in CAR-T trials, offering broader access and newer generations of targets.
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Request Confidential ReviewCancer Treatment in China: what international patients should know
Last updated:
Quick answer
International patients can seek cancer care in China through surgery, radiotherapy (including proton therapy at a small number of centres), immunotherapy, targeted drugs, stem-cell transplant and, for some blood cancers, CAR-T cell therapy. Whether any of these is right depends on your cancer type, stage, prior treatment and overall health. The treating hospital decides eligibility, and the first step is a records review, not a booking.
Typically a good fit if
- You have a confirmed diagnosis (pathology and imaging) and want a second opinion or a different treatment option.
- Your cancer has relapsed or stopped responding, and you want to know whether a trial or a newer drug applies.
- You can travel for assessment and for a treatment course that may last several weeks.
- You want an itemised written quote before committing to travel.
May not be suitable if
- You are medically unstable or your doctors advise against long-haul travel.
- You need emergency treatment now. Seek local emergency care first.
- You want a guaranteed outcome or a fixed price before your records have been reviewed. Neither is possible.
- Your records are not available: pathology and imaging are essential for any serious review.
How it works, step by step
- 1Send your records
Pathology report, imaging, treatment history, molecular test results and current medications.
- 2Hospital review
The hospital's oncology team reviews your case, sometimes as a multidisciplinary discussion, and tells you whether it can help.
- 3Written plan and quote
You receive a proposed plan, expected length of stay and an itemised quote before you decide to travel.
- 4Travel and treatment
Arrival, interpreter support, staging tests where needed, then treatment under the hospital's team.
- 5Handover home
An English discharge summary, imaging and a follow-up plan to share with your own oncologist.
Typical costs
| Procedure | China | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Cancer surgery | $15,000 – $30,000 | $100,000 – $300,000 |
| CAR-T cell therapy (full course) | $60,000 – $90,000 | $373,000 – $475,000 |
| Proton therapy (about 30 fractions) | $40,000 – $55,000 | $100,000 – $150,000 |
Immunotherapy and targeted drugs are priced per drug and per cycle, so they are quoted individually after review.
Reference ranges for planning only, in USD. Final quotes are issued by the treating hospital after reviewing your records, and depend on your diagnosis, procedure, room type and length of stay. See also our pricing overview.
Hospitals to look at
Peking Union Medical College Hospital
Beijing
Leading comprehensive hospital with multidisciplinary programs for complex cases
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou
Large dedicated cancer centre with radiotherapy and interventional oncology
Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai
Strong in hepatobiliary and digestive oncology
Tangdu Hospital
Xi'an
Tumor ablation and bladder-preservation work reported in our news coverage
Listed for general information about each hospital's published strengths. Inclusion is not a partnership, endorsement or referral claim, and availability must be confirmed with the hospital for your case.
Questions to ask your care team
- What is the exact diagnosis, stage and molecular profile you are working from?
- Which treatment do you propose, and what are the realistic benefits and risks for my case?
- Is this a standard treatment or part of a clinical trial, and am I eligible?
- What is included in the quote, and what could add to it?
- What follow-up do I need after I return home, and who will coordinate it?
Frequently asked questions
Can international patients receive CAR-T therapy in China?
Some CAR-T products are approved in China for certain relapsed or refractory blood cancers, and others are available through clinical trials. Eligibility depends on your cancer type, previous treatment and fitness, and it is decided by the hospital after reviewing your records.
How long should I plan to stay?
It depends on the treatment. Surgery usually needs a hospital stay of days to a couple of weeks plus recovery; a radiotherapy course can run several weeks; CAR-T involves collection, manufacturing and monitoring and often takes a month or more. The hospital will give you a realistic schedule with your quote.
What records should I send for a review?
The full pathology report, recent imaging (original discs or DICOM files where possible), a summary of previous treatments, any molecular or genetic test results, and your current medications and allergies. Do not stop any current treatment while you explore options.
Can I continue treatment with my own oncologist afterwards?
Yes. You should receive an English discharge summary, imaging and a follow-up plan. Many patients continue maintenance therapy or surveillance at home, and it helps to tell your oncologist before you travel.
Sources and further reading
- National Cancer Institute: CAR T cells
- National Cancer Institute: External beam radiation therapy
- National Cancer Institute: Stem cell transplants
- CAR-T therapy cost breakdown
- Proton therapy cost guide
- 8 myths about cancer treatment in China
General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. SinomedTrip coordinates appointments and travel; licensed hospitals and clinicians make all medical decisions.
