Updated: 23 hours ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Eric Wang - ChinaCureLink Team
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, West China Hospital and Chinese PLA General Hospital are three centres to consider for liver cancer treatment in China. Youlai lists them first for hepatobiliary surgery. Their published expertise covers liver surgery, minimally invasive procedures and comprehensive treatment, offering useful starting points for a specialist assessment.
Key Takeaways |
PUMCH, West China and PLA General Hospital lead the specified Youlai hepatobiliary surgery list. Compare liver surgery, interventional treatment and comprehensive oncology expertise. Compare two leading doctor profiles per centre and request a consultation. Recent case evidence and phase 3 trials explain treatment pathways and reported clinical results. Royal Lee, Fuda and Clifford provide additional private-hospital options. |
Table of Contents
Who This Guide Is for
This guide helps patients and families compare liver cancer hospitals, understand treatment options and prepare for a specialist opinion in China.
It is particularly relevant if you are:
Seeking another opinion about liver surgery.
Comparing surgical, interventional and systemic treatments.
Exploring treatment that could make an initially inoperable tumour suitable for surgery.
Looking for a hospital with international-patient coordination.
Preparing medical records before travelling.
The clinical studies discussed here focus on hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC. China's liver cancer guidelines distinguish HCC from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and other liver tumours because their treatment pathways differ.
How We Selected the Best Liver Cancer Hospitals in China
We began with Youlai's national hepatobiliary surgery—肝胆外科—list, then reviewed liver surgery departments and individual doctor profiles.
Our comparison considers:
Position on Youlai's hepatobiliary surgery list.
Listed hospital grade.
Published department strengths.
Relevant surgical and oncology expertise.
Clinical research and practical arrangements for overseas patients.
The first three hospitals on the specified list are Peking Union Medical College Hospital, West China Hospital and Chinese PLA General Hospital. All three are listed as Grade 3A hospitals.
We have also included private hospitals that report JCI accreditation, giving readers additional options for international-patient services and cancer care.
Quick Comparison
The hospital positions above follow Youlai's list order. The treatment interests are drawn from the department and doctor profiles below.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing
Peking Union Medical College Hospital's official liver surgery page describes open and laparoscopic operations, interventional treatment and comprehensive care for benign and malignant liver disease. Its doctor profiles provide further detail about surgery, systemic treatment and continuing cancer management.
Known for: A liver surgery department whose published scope brings together operations and other components of hepatobiliary treatment.
Best Suited for
Based on its published services, PUMCH is worth considering when a patient needs an assessment spanning surgery and comprehensive cancer treatment.
A focused referral could ask whether an operation is appropriate now, whether another treatment should come first, and how the team would reassess the cancer afterwards.
Things to Consider
Before booking, ask which specialist will review the records and whether the consultation includes discussion with other departments. Confirm the campus, consultation language and arrangements for receiving a written opinion.
Leading Doctors
West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu
West China Hospital's liver surgery department identifies dedicated groups for interventional treatment of HCC, minimally invasive liver resection and transplantation. Its official page also describes work on difficult and complex hepatobiliary conditions.
Known for: A liver surgery service with distinct surgical and interventional areas of practice.
Best Suited for
West China is worth considering for a detailed assessment of liver surgery and related local treatments.
When requesting an opinion, identify the decision you need help with: operability, treatment after recurrence, an interventional procedure, or reassessment after previous therapy.
Things to Consider
Ask which department and campus will manage the case. Request a named clinical contact and confirm how consultations, imaging review and any proposed procedures will be coordinated.
For an overseas patient, it is also useful to clarify how long to remain in Chengdu for assessment and the first treatment stage.
Leading Doctors
Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing
The profiles of Liu Rong and Lu Shichun describe experience in minimally invasive hepatobiliary procedures and liver tumour surgery. Published research from PLA General Hospital also examines surgery after conversion treatment for HCC with portal-vein tumour thrombus.
Known for: Hepatobiliary surgical expertise supported by doctor profiles and clinical research.
Best Suited for
This hospital is worth considering for a surgical second opinion, including assessment after systemic treatment.
A useful consultation should address the proposed operation, the condition of the remaining liver, and how surgery would fit into the wider treatment plan.
Things to Consider
Confirm the medical centre, department and specialist responsible for the case. Ask whether the initial assessment can include a review of existing scans before travel.
If conversion treatment is proposed, request the planned reassessment points and the criteria the team would use when considering surgery.
Leading Doctors
Recent Liver Cancer Case Study from China
A recent clinical report describes how a multidisciplinary team used several treatments in sequence before operating on advanced HCC.
Published on 28 October 2026, the report came from the 940th Hospital in Lanzhou. The patient was a 33-year-old man with major blood-vessel involvement and lung lesions diagnosed radiologically as metastases.
Treatment and Clinical Results
After an initial response was considered insufficient, the team combined:
TACE: transarterial chemoembolisation.
HAIC: hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy.
Apatinib: a targeted medicine.
Camrelizumab: an immunotherapy.
The reported liver tumour measurements decreased from 13.9 × 8.0 cm to 6.0 × 5.0 cm. The team subsequently performed partial liver removal and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava, a major vein.
Examination of the resected primary lesion and portal-vein tumour thrombus found no viable tumour cells. At the 30 June 2026 follow-up cutoff, the authors reported disease-free survival exceeding 12 months.
How the Team Organised Care
The report describes assessment involving several specialties, adjustment of treatment after reviewing the response, and another surgical assessment after tumour shrinkage.
It provides a practical example of conversion treatment: using nonsurgical therapy to create an opportunity for an operation. The evidence is a published single-patient case report.
Advanced Liver Cancer Treatments in China
China's National Health Commission issued its 2026 primary liver cancer guideline in April 2026. Separate interventional guidance published in 2026 includes TACE, HAIC and selective internal radiation therapy within its scope.
Treatment planning may involve surgery, local procedures, systemic medicines or a combination. A multidisciplinary assessment brings the relevant specialties together to consider the sequence of care.
Liver Surgery and Image-Guided Ablation
Partial hepatectomy removes the part of the liver containing the tumour. Ablation destroys tumour tissue; radiofrequency and microwave ablation use heat. These approaches are among the treatment options described by the US National Cancer Institute.
When comparing hospitals, ask how the team assesses the tumour's position and extent, the health of the remaining liver and the proposed treatment goal.
For an operation, request an explanation of the planned procedure, expected hospital stay and recovery arrangements. For ablation, ask which technique is proposed and how treatment response will be assessed.
ChinaCureLink's interventional therapy and microwave ablation case study describes how those methods were combined in one patient's care.
Immunotherapy Plus Targeted Treatment: CARES-310
The international phase 3 CARES-310 trial randomised 543 patients with unresectable or metastatic HCC who had not received previous systemic treatment.
The final analysis reported median overall survival of:
23.8 months with camrelizumab plus rivoceranib.
15.2 months with sorafenib.
The hazard ratio for death was 0.64, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.52–0.79.
The same publication reported treatment-related serious adverse events in 25% versus 7% of treated patients. Grade 3–4 treatment-related hypertension occurred in 38% versus 15%, and liver enzyme elevations were also recorded.
These findings give clinicians both efficacy and safety information to discuss when assessing this combination.
Toripalimab Plus Bevacizumab: HEPATORCH
The phase 3 HEPATORCH trial randomised 326 patients to toripalimab plus bevacizumab or sorafenib.
Median overall survival was 20.0 versus 14.5 months. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred in 63% versus 61%. Reported serious adverse events included gastrointestinal bleeding and abnormal liver function.
The publication states that the combination received approval in China based on the results. A consultation can establish whether it fits the patient's treatment history and clinical condition.
TACE Combined with Lenvatinib: LAUNCH
The phase 3 LAUNCH trial randomised 338 patients at 12 centres in China to lenvatinib plus TACE or lenvatinib alone.
Median overall survival was 17.8 months with the combination versus 11.5 months with lenvatinib alone.
The ASCO guideline review also reports that some grade 3–4 adverse events—including liver enzyme elevations and hyperbilirubinaemia—were more frequent with the combination.
For patients considering this approach, useful questions include how many procedures are planned, what monitoring is required between treatments and how the team will assess liver function.
HAIC and Yttrium-90 Treatment
HAIC delivers chemotherapy through the liver's arterial circulation. Selective internal radiation therapy, or SIRT, delivers radiation internally; yttrium-90 microspheres are one form of this treatment.
China's 2026 interventional guidance includes HAIC and SIRT alongside TACE.
When discussing arterial treatment, ask for the exact procedure name, its purpose and the assessment required beforehand. Also clarify whether treatment is intended to control disease, prepare for surgery or form part of a longer combined-treatment plan.
For a patient-level example of response assessment, see ChinaCureLink's Y90 liver cancer treatment case study. Its staged Y90 treatment case describes the planning of treatment across multiple liver segments.
Conversion Treatment Followed by Surgery
A 2026 study from PLA General Hospital examined 76 patients with HCC and portal-vein tumour thrombus who received PD-1 immunotherapy and targeted medicines followed by surgery.
The study followed a selected surgical cohort and did not randomise patients between surgery and continued nonsurgical treatment.
For a conversion-treatment consultation, ask what response the team is seeking, when scans will be repeated and which findings would support proceeding to an operation.
Understanding the Clinical Data
A clear treatment discussion should identify:
The number and type of patients studied.
The comparison treatment, where applicable.
Whether the endpoint was tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival or overall survival.
The duration of follow-up.
Important adverse effects and monitoring requirements.
These details help patients ask more focused questions about how the published evidence relates to their own medical records.
Private Hospitals with Reported JCI Accreditation to Consider
Royal Lee, Fuda and Clifford offer additional options for patients comparing private care in Guangzhou. Their published information describes JCI accreditation alongside cancer services and international-patient support.
Guangzhou Royal Lee Cancer Hospital
Royal Lee is a privately invested specialist oncology hospital in Guangzhou's Huangpu District. Its official information describes Y90 resin microsphere treatment, minimally invasive cancer procedures and multidisciplinary assessment.
Its International Medical Center describes multilingual coordination, teleconsultation and cross-border patient services.
Worth discussing: An international-patient assessment involving liver-directed treatment and coordination across specialties.
Questions to ask: Which liver cancer team will assess the case? Where will each proposed procedure take place? What does the written quotation include?
Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital
Fuda's official department information includes hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal tumour surgery. Its medical oncology service describes multidisciplinary discussions, cancer interventional procedures, cryoablation and irreversible electroporation among its treatment methods.
Its published JCI information identifies it as a private specialty hospital that has received accreditation.
Worth discussing: Assessment of local and minimally invasive treatments within a wider oncology plan.
Questions to ask: Why is a particular technique recommended? What is the treatment goal? Which clinician will manage follow-up and medicines between procedures?
Clifford Hospital
Clifford describes itself as a private hospital with JCI accreditation. Its published services include oncology and hepatobiliary surgery, with laparoscopic liver resection and fluorescence-guided techniques listed on its English website.
The hospital also describes an International Medical Center providing multilingual patient services and travel-related support.
Worth discussing: A consultation combining oncology and hepatobiliary surgical assessment within a general hospital setting.
Questions to ask: Which departments will review the case together? How will the proposed treatment and recovery period be organised? What support is included for an accompanying family member?
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Hospital
Send these questions with your records so the consultation can focus on the decision you need to make:
What is my exact diagnosis and stage?
Which department and doctor will lead my treatment?
Will the case be discussed by a multidisciplinary team?
What is the main treatment goal?
Why do you recommend this approach, and what are the alternatives?
Which clinical evidence best matches my situation?
What tests are needed before the plan can be finalised?
How will response and side effects be monitored?
What is included in the quotation and expected length of stay?
Who will coordinate follow-up after I return home?
Tell the team about practical priorities too, including language, time away from home, family support and the preferred format for communication.
How International Patients Arrange Treatment in China
The ChinaCureLink patient process includes record review, hospital matching, treatment planning, travel coordination and follow-up. The following six stages summarise that pathway.
1. Send Your Medical Records
Provide the diagnosis, recent reports, scans and previous treatment history. Include a short explanation of what you want the specialist to assess.
A focused question—such as whether surgery is possible after previous treatment—helps organise the review.
2. Review the Case and Compare Hospitals
The case review identifies relevant departments and specialists. Ask for the clinical reason behind each proposed hospital.
Compare the responsible team, proposed service, location and arrangements for continuing care.
3. Arrange an Optional Video Second Opinion
A remote consultation can help clarify the proposed next step before travelling. Confirm the specialist, interpretation, fee and whether a written summary will be provided.
Share that summary with your current doctor so both teams understand the proposed plan.
4. Obtain a Written Plan and Quotation
Request an itemised estimate showing assessment, treatment, medicines and hospital accommodation. Ask which parts depend on tests after arrival.
List coordination, travel and family accommodation costs separately.
5. Organise Entry Documents and Travel
Confirm the hospital appointment, required documents and travel arrangements. Check the entry requirements for your passport and intended length of stay.
Ask what records, medicines and practical items to bring.
6. Complete Treatment and Arrange Follow-Up
Before discharge, collect reports, imaging, medicine instructions and contact details.
Agree how results will be shared with your doctor at home and who will answer questions between follow-up appointments.
Documents to Prepare
ChinaCureLink's published process asks for diagnostic records, imaging, laboratory results and previous treatment information.
Prepare:
Diagnosis and referral or discharge summaries.
Recent scan reports and original imaging files where available.
Pathology reports, if available.
Recent laboratory results.
Treatment names, dates, responses and important side effects.
Current medicines and allergies.
Relevant hepatitis and liver-disease records.
A concise list of questions and treatment priorities.
Ask which documents need translation and whether the hospital requires a particular format for scans. Keep an organised copy for your own records.
How ChinaCureLink Helps
ChinaCureLink describes hospital matching, second opinions, appointment coordination, interpretation, travel assistance and aftercare coordination. Its published process also includes translation of discharge documents and communication with care teams.
For liver cancer, the comparison can focus on the department and specialist relevant to the case, the proposed treatment pathway and practical access.
Before proceeding, request a written service scope covering record preparation, consultation arrangements, on-site support and follow-up communication.
Choosing the Best Liver Cancer Hospital in China for Your Case
The best liver cancer hospitals in China should be compared through the expertise and care pathway relevant to your diagnosis.
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, West China Hospital and Chinese PLA General Hospital offer a starting shortlist. Royal Lee, Fuda and Clifford provide additional private-hospital options with published international-patient services and reported JCI accreditation.
A useful next step is a focused review of your medical records, followed by a written explanation of the proposed treatment, responsible team, costs and follow-up arrangements.
Get a Second Opinion
For suitable cases, ChinaCureLink can then coordinate an online consultation with the specialist to discuss the technical treatment details directly. The purpose is to help the patient understand which treatment option and which specialist center may be most appropriate before making an international treatment decision.
What Patients Say About ChinaCureLink & Medebound HEALTH
China CureLink operates under Medebound HEALTH — an internationally recognized healthcare navigation company incorporated in New York, with operations across North America and Asia-Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Liver Cancer Treatment in China Cost?
Request a case-specific, itemised quotation. It should show assessment, procedures, medicines, hospital stay and follow-up, with travel and coordination costs listed separately.
Ask how the estimate would change if the treatment plan is revised after further assessment.
How Long Should I Plan to Stay?
Ask the hospital to distinguish the assessment period, treatment period and recovery period. For treatment delivered in cycles, clarify whether repeat visits are planned and what can be managed at home.
Can I Have a Second Opinion Before Travelling?
ChinaCureLink describes remote consultation coordination. Confirm the specialist, interpretation, written report and appointment fee when arranging the review.
Can I Receive Support in My Language?
Royal Lee and Clifford describe multilingual international-patient services. Ask for support in your preferred language and confirm its availability for consultations, consent discussions and discharge instructions.
Are the Hospitals in This Guide Public or Private?
The main shortlist covers major public institutions, including a military hospital. The additional section covers privately invested hospitals: Royal Lee, Fuda and Clifford.
Compare the proposed care team, treatment plan and service arrangements alongside the ownership model.
What Entry Documents Will I Need?
Check current requirements for your passport and intended stay with the relevant Chinese embassy, consulate or official visa service. Ask the hospital what appointment or invitation documents it can provide.
Can Treatment Make an Inoperable Tumour Suitable for Surgery?
Conversion treatment is intended to create that opportunity. The recent case report and PLA General Hospital cohort describe patients who reached surgery after treatment. A specialist consultation can assess whether this is an appropriate goal for your case.
What Should I Receive Before Returning Home?
Request a discharge summary, treatment record, medicine list, imaging, laboratory results and follow-up schedule. Confirm the contact person for sharing results and coordinating with your doctor at home.
About ChinaCureLink
ChinaCureLink helps patients across the world access the best cancer treatment at China's top hospitals, without the delays, language barriers, and administrative confusion that typically come with seeking care abroad.
We connect patients directly with China's top cancer hospitals, ensuring that from the first case submission through to treatment and follow-up, every step is guided, translated, and coordinated by a team experienced in cross-border patient care.
ChinaCureLink is proudly affiliated with Medebound HEALTH — founded by US physicians, with over 10 years of experience and more than 3,000 patients served worldwide, Medebound HEALTH is recognized by Forbes and it is one of the most trusted patient cross-border concierge service company across North America and the Asia Pacific.
References
10. Youlai: Liu Rong
Hospital entrance photograph: 猫猫的日记本, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed in a cropped card layout.
PLA General Hospital building photograph: 又黑蜗壳, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Displayed in a cropped card layout.
Zeng Yong portrait: Chinese Geriatrics Society profile.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical or financial advice. Treatment eligibility, protocols, and costs vary by individual case — confirm specifics with a coordinator and treating physician before making any decisions.
