Oncology · 2026
Cancer treatment in China,
by the data.
4.82 million new cases each year — the procedural depth no Western system can match. 8 proton centres, 4 NMPA-approved CAR-T products, and pricing 50–70% below US averages. Here is what the data actually says.
4.82M
New cancer cases / year
Diagnosed in China — NCC Annual Report 2022
National Cancer Center
8
Proton therapy centres
Clinical facilities operating in China by 2024
Industry data 2024
4
NMPA-approved CAR-T
Cellular immunotherapy products available
NMPA, 2024
50–70%
Cost savings
All-in vs comparable US oncology pricing
Industry data
Class A
Top oncology centres
Shanghai Cancer Center, SYSU Cancer, Tianjin Cancer
NHC, 2024
7.89M
Surgeries / year
Across China's top 100 hospitals (2021)
NHC
The case
The world’s largest oncology
system, by patient volume.
China’s National Cancer Center records 4.82 million new diagnoses per year. Top centres operate at scale Western hospitals cannot match — and that volume drives procedural mastery, faster guideline iteration, and aggressive infrastructure investment.
On technology: 8 clinical proton therapy facilities, two heavy-ion therapy centres (Wuwei, Lanzhou), 400+ da Vinci surgical platforms nationwide, and the world’s most active CAR-T pipeline outside the US — with 4 NMPA-approved products covering relapsed B-cell lymphomas, ALL, and multiple myeloma.
On cost: combination of volume-based procurement, lower facility overhead, and aggressive domestic-pharmaceutical competition pushes total all-in oncology pricing 50–70% below US averages — for the same drugs, comparable accreditation, and Lancet-published outcomes.
Treatment modalities
Six modalities,
fully accessible to foreign patients.
Proton & heavy-ion therapy
Bragg-peak precision radiation, especially valuable for paediatric, prostate, head & neck, and base-of-skull tumours. 8 clinical centres operating.
$40–120k course
CAR-T cellular immunotherapy
4 NMPA-approved products for B-cell lymphoma, ALL, and multiple myeloma. China is the world leader outside the US in active CAR-T development.
$60–140k
Robotic surgical oncology
400+ da Vinci platforms nationwide. Strongest in colorectal, gastric, prostate, gynecologic and lung resections.
$15–35k
Immune checkpoint therapy
Both Western and domestic Chinese PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors widely available — China's domestic agents are 30–50% cheaper.
$25–60k course
Targeted therapy
Full access to international and domestic targeted agents. Extensive companion-diagnostic infrastructure (NGS, IHC).
Varies by drug
Integrative oncology (TCM)
Acupuncture for CINV, herbal support for fatigue and immune function, qi gong for stress. Standard in Chinese oncology wards.
$2–6k / month
Top centres
Six oncology hospitals open
to international patients.
Shanghai Cancer Center 复旦大学附属肿瘤医院
All adult solid tumours · Proton & heavy-ion (Fudan-affiliated)
Renji Hospital 仁济医院
Liver cancer · Hepatobiliary surgery · CAR-T
Cancer Hospital, CAMS 中国医学科学院肿瘤医院
National flagship · all tumour types · clinical trials
Beijing 301 Hospital 解放军总医院
Comprehensive oncology · CAR-T · cellular therapy
SYSU Cancer Center 中山大学肿瘤防治中心
Nasopharyngeal · head & neck · paediatric oncology
Tianjin Cancer Hospital 天津肿瘤医院
Breast · gastric · oesophageal cancer · radiotherapy
Cost comparison
China vs the West,
real oncology pricing.
Sources: NCI 2024 cost compendium; ASCO 2024 economic burden report; NHS reference costs 2024; partner hospital itemized quotes 2024–2025.
FAQ
Cancer treatment in China — answered.
- Why do international patients come to China for cancer treatment?
- Three reasons: (1) clinical volume — the National Cancer Center reports 4.82 million new cancer cases diagnosed in China in 2022, giving Chinese oncologists procedural depth Western centres cannot match; (2) advanced technology — China operates 8 proton therapy centres and is the world leader outside the US in CAR-T cellular immunotherapy with 4 NMPA-approved products; (3) cost — comparable Western treatment runs 50–70% less in China, with no insurance pre-authorisation friction.
- Are Chinese oncology hospitals safe and accredited?
- Yes — top centres including Shanghai Cancer Center (Fudan), Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, and Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital are NHC Class A 三级甲等 hospitals with ≥900/1000 audit scores. Several hold JCI accreditation. The same hospitals publish peer-reviewed outcome data in The Lancet Oncology, JAMA Oncology, and Annals of Oncology — verifiable independently.
- What cancer treatments are available in China?
- Surgery (including da Vinci robotic), conventional and IMRT radiotherapy, proton therapy (Shanghai, Wuwei, Hefei), heavy-ion therapy (Wuwei, Lanzhou), conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1), CAR-T cellular immunotherapy (NMPA-approved for B-cell lymphomas, multiple myeloma), and full integrative oncology with TCM supportive care.
- How much does cancer treatment cost in China?
- Indicative all-in package costs (excluding airfare): proton therapy course $40,000–$120,000 (vs $150,000–$250,000 in the US); CAR-T therapy $60,000–$140,000 (vs $400,000–$500,000+ in the US); robotic colorectal surgery $15,000–$30,000; comprehensive immunotherapy course (12 cycles) $25,000–$60,000. Pricing depends on tumour staging, hospital and protocol.
- Can I get a second opinion from a Chinese oncologist remotely?
- Yes — Panda Touring Care arranges video second-opinion consultations with senior oncologists at Shanghai Cancer Center, 301 Hospital and other tier-1 institutions. The standard package includes: (1) bilingual case summary, (2) imaging review by a Chinese radiologist, (3) 60-minute video consultation with a senior oncologist (主任医师), (4) written second-opinion report. Turnaround 7–10 business days; cost $800–$2,500.
- Is CAR-T therapy available in China for foreigners?
- Yes. China has 4 NMPA-approved CAR-T products as of 2024: Yikaida (axicabtagene ciloleucel), Carteyva (relmacabtagene autoleucel), Fukerui (equecabtagene autoleucel), and Yuanruida (zevorcabtagene autoleucel). Indications cover relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas, ALL, and multiple myeloma. Treatment requires Class A hospital admission and NMPA-licensed cellular therapy lab. Total cost runs $60,000–$140,000 — roughly one-third of US pricing.
- What about proton therapy in China?
- China operates 8 clinical proton therapy centres including Shanghai Proton & Heavy Ion Center (Fudan), Wuwei Heavy Ion Therapy Center (treating both proton and carbon-ion), Hefei Proton Therapy Center, and several private facilities. Indications include paediatric cancers, prostate, head and neck, base of skull, and selected lung tumours. Course cost $40,000–$120,000 vs $150,000–$250,000 in the US.
- Should I combine TCM with my cancer treatment?
- TCM as supportive care is the standard model in Chinese oncology — for chemotherapy-induced nausea, fatigue, neutropenia, and post-treatment quality of life. It is not a stand-alone cancer treatment. Major centres like Guang'anmen Hospital and Shanghai Cancer Center run dedicated integrative oncology programs with weekly multidisciplinary case discussions.
Explore the cluster
Proton & Heavy-Ion Therapy
China's 8 proton centres + Wuwei heavy-ion. Indications, course design and cost.
Read on protonCAR-T Cellular Immunotherapy
4 NMPA-approved products. Eligibility, manufacturing process, response rates, cost.
Read on CAR-TIntegrative Oncology
How TCM supportive care is layered onto chemo, RT and surgery in Chinese centres.
Read on integrationRemote Second Opinion
Video review by a senior Chinese oncologist with bilingual report — 7–10 days.
Get a second opinionMedical Tourism in China
Broader context: how oncology fits into China's medical tourism offering.
Read the guideTCM Supportive Care
Acupuncture for CINV, herbal for fatigue and immunity, qi gong for stress.
Read on TCMStart with a remote
second opinion.
Submit your records. We’ll arrange a 60-minute video consultation with a senior oncologist at Shanghai Cancer Center, 301 Hospital or another tier-1 institution. Bilingual report in 7–10 days.