Hepatology · 2026
Liver disease care in China,
world-class hepatology centres.
Cirrhosis workup, MAFLD/NAFLD optimization, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, fibrosis staging and HCC surveillance at Class A hepatology centres. Bilingual hepatology workup from $850.
$850–1,800
Hepatology workup
FibroScan, MRE, labs, imaging, bilingual report
Partner clinic quotes 2024
Class A
Top centres
Zhongshan, PUMC, Beijing You'an, Shanghai PHCC
NHC ratings
FibroScan
+ MRE available
Non-invasive fibrosis staging widely deployed
Centre programs
Resmetirom
MASH treatment
NMPA-approved 2024 (later than FDA but at lower cost)
NMPA approvals
Bilingual
Hepatology report
Standard discharge package + home-team handover
Service standard
No transplant
Editorial policy
We do not coordinate liver transplant in mainland China
Compliance
Tiers & pricing
Six tiers, transparent pricing.
Comprehensive workup
Liver function, viral panel, autoimmune markers, fibrosis (FibroScan / MRE), imaging.
$850–1,800
MAFLD / NAFLD optimization
Cardiometabolic optimization, structured nutrition, GLP-1 / SGLT-2 / pioglitazone selection, resmetirom for MASH F2-3.
Quoted on case
Autoimmune hepatitis
Steroid + azathioprine / MMF induction, biologic add-on for steroid-refractory cases.
Workup + meds
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC)
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) first-line; obeticholic acid (OCA), elafibranor, seladelpar second-line where approved.
Workup + meds
Cirrhotic complications care
Variceal screening, portal hypertension management, HE workup, ascites and SBP prophylaxis.
Quoted on case
HCC surveillance + treatment
AFP + ultrasound q6m, contrast imaging if positive, HCC pathway via cancer centre.
Quoted on case
Top hospitals
Six centres
open to international patients.
Zhongshan Hospital Hepatology 中山医院
China's leading hepatobiliary centre · MAFLD, viral, autoimmune programs · trial site
PUMC Hepatology 北京协和医院
Academic hepatology · diagnostic excellence · rare and atypical liver disease
Beijing You'an Hospital 北京佑安医院
Class A specialty · viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, HCC · hepatology trial leader
Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center 上海市公共卫生临床中心
Class A specialty · large hepatitis cohort · cirrhotic care + trials
United Family Hospitals 和睦家
JCI · routine liver workup · expat-focused English-first
West China Hospital Hepatology 华西医院
Class A · regional reference · complex hepatology + HCC
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
- Why China for liver disease?
- Three reasons: (1) HBV expertise — with ~84M chronic HBV carriers, Chinese hepatology centres have unmatched experience in viral hepatitis and its complications; (2) MAFLD prevalence — fatty liver disease affects 30%+ of Chinese adults, driving deep clinical and trial pipelines for resmetirom (MGL-3196), pioglitazone, GLP-1s and novel agents; (3) Cost — comprehensive hepatology workup including FibroScan, MRE and labs runs $850–$1,800 vs $3,500–$8,500 at US academic centres.
- What does a comprehensive workup include?
- Standard 2–3 day pathway: full liver-function panel (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, INR, AFP); HBV / HCV / HEV serology; autoimmune panel (ANA, ASMA, AMA, LKM, IgG / IgM / IgA); metabolic workup (HbA1c, lipid panel, ferritin, transferrin saturation, ceruloplasmin if young); FibroScan or MRE (magnetic resonance elastography) for fibrosis; abdominal ultrasound; contrast CT / MRI if lesion or cirrhosis; FibroTest / ELF if non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers preferred. Bilingual final report mapped to AASLD / EASL guidance.
- What about MAFLD / NAFLD treatment?
- Standard approach: cardiometabolic optimization (weight loss 7–10%+ for steatohepatitis improvement, fibrosis regression with 10%+); structured Mediterranean diet; structured aerobic + resistance training; statin if indicated for cardiovascular primary indication; GLP-1 / GIP agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide — NMPA-approved with strong MASH activity); SGLT-2 inhibitors for diabetic patients; resmetirom (MGL-3196) NMPA-approved 2024 for MASH F2-3; pioglitazone in selected diabetic patients. Bariatric surgery referral for eligible patients.
- What about autoimmune liver disease?
- Autoimmune hepatitis: induction with prednisone ± azathioprine or MMF; steroid taper; long-term immunosuppression. PBC: UDCA first-line; OCA / elafibranor / seladelpar (second-line FXR/PPAR agonists, NMPA approval pace varies). PSC: no specific approved therapy beyond UDCA off-label; transplant referral for advanced disease (we do not coordinate liver transplant). IgG4-related cholangiopathy: steroid-responsive — diagnostic care valuable to distinguish from PSC. We coordinate diagnostic workup and medical management; complex transplant decisions are referred home.
- Why don't you coordinate liver transplant?
- Same editorial policy as for all transplants in mainland China — see our [kidney-care page](/kidney-care-china) for details. International scrutiny over organ-sourcing transparency in mainland China remains active; until international transplant community consensus changes, we do not coordinate liver, kidney, heart, lung or bone-marrow transplants in mainland China. Patients seeking transplant should consult their home transplant centre.
- How does HCC surveillance fit in?
- Cirrhotic patients of any aetiology and selected non-cirrhotic high-risk patients (HBV with family history; Asian male HBV > 40, Asian female HBV > 50) require AFP + ultrasound q6m surveillance per AASLD / EASL. Class A hepatology centres bundle this into long-term programs. If suspicious lesion: contrast-enhanced CT / MRI same-day, biopsy if needed, MDT review for resection / ablation / TACE / immunotherapy. NMPA-approved HCC therapy includes atezolizumab + bevacizumab, durvalumab + tremelimumab, lenvatinib, regorafenib at NMPA-listed pricing.
Related guides
Hepatitis B Treatment
Antivirals + functional-cure trials.
Read the guideHCC Treatment
Liver cancer care including TACE, ablation, immunotherapy.
Read the guideDiabetes Care
MAFLD often coexists with type 2 diabetes.
Read the guideLongevity Medicine
Cardiometabolic optimization is the foundation of MAFLD reversal.
Read the guideClinical Trials
Hepatology trials including MASH and cirrhosis.
Read the guideSecond Opinion
Independent hepatology second opinion from $250.
Read the guideSend your liver labs
for a written hepatology plan.
Upload your liver function tests, fibrosis assessment, viral panel and any imaging. We return a written hepatology plan from a partner specialist — including diagnostic workup, treatment recommendation and HCC surveillance schedule.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not coordinate liver transplant in mainland China. Acute hepatic failure or signs of decompensation are emergencies — present to your nearest ED.