Updated: 1 day ago
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Wang, Medical Editor, ChinaCureLink
Introduction
In October 2026, US health reporters described American families flying to Shanghai to buy a Chinese-developed lung cancer drug. Sunvozertinib had been approved in China in 2023 but only reached American pharmacies in late October 2026. Around the same time, a US cancer centre told an older lung cancer patient that the most promising drug left for him, ivonescimab, was approved only in China.
These stories reflect a wider shift. Lung cancer is China's most common cancer, and Chinese teams now develop, test and approve new lung cancer drugs at a pace few countries match. Chinese thoracic surgeons also operate at very high volumes, and leading centres can complete a full work-up in days.
Knowing what China offers is only half the question. The other half is practical: how an international patient actually gets lung cancer treatment in China, from the first records review to continuing treatment safely back home. This guide sets out that route in seven steps. For an overview of the drugs and evidence themselves, see ChinaCureLink's guide to lung cancer treatment in China.
Key Takeaways |
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Table of Contents
Why International Patients Choose China for Lung Cancer Treatment
Three strengths draw most international lung cancer patients to China.
Earlier access to some new drugs. Several Chinese-developed lung cancer drugs were approved in China first. Ivonescimab, a bispecific antibody that blocks PD-1 and VEGF together, has been approved in China since April 2025 for PD-L1-positive advanced lung cancer without EGFR or ALK changes. In 2026, China approved andamertinib for EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and gave conditional approval to zongertinib as a first treatment for HER2-mutant lung cancer, where 75.7% of 74 previously untreated patients responded.
Surgical experience at scale. A senior executive at Peking University International Hospital reports that a Chinese thoracic surgeon performs at least 400 to 500 operations a year, compared with about 100 for a typical surgeon abroad.
Speed. Chinese reporting in 2026 put the average time from first visit to cancer surgery in China at one to two weeks. One Shanghai international cancer centre completes PET-CT, lung function and laboratory tests and reports the results within 48 hours.
International demand is rising with it. China's National Health Commission recorded 1.28 million international patient visits at its key foreign-facing hospitals in 2025, up 73.6% in three years.
Step 1: Confirm the Tumour's Biomarkers
Most lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For NSCLC, the molecular report matters more than the city or hospital. It tells the specialist whether a targeted drug, an immunotherapy or a local treatment fits.
If you’re researching a breast cancer diagnosis instead, start with the guide to breast cancer treatment options by subtype.
Some of these drugs are also approved in other countries now, so availability at home should be checked first. If the tumour has never had broad molecular testing, or the cancer has progressed on a targeted drug, a new biopsy or liquid biopsy is usually the first step.
Step 2: Get a Remote Specialist Review Before Travel
A records review by video is the safest way to start. Under China's internet-hospital rules, a first diagnosis cannot be made online. A Chinese specialist can still review translated records and imaging and give an opinion on options before any travel.
The records a lung cancer specialist needs:
Pathology report and, where possible, the original tissue slides or blocks
Full molecular report (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET, KRAS, RET, HER2, PD-L1)
Recent chest CT or PET-CT images on disc or download link, plus a brain MRI
A dated list of every treatment and how the tumour responded
Recent blood tests and lung function results
All records should be translated by a medical translator before review. The steps for setting up this review are covered in detail in ChinaCureLink's guide on how to book a lung cancer consultation in China.
Step 3: Choose the Right Hospital and Team
Lung cancer care in large Chinese hospitals is split across departments, and the right one depends on the question:
Thoracic surgery for operable tumours
Medical oncology for targeted drugs, immunotherapy and chemotherapy
Radiation oncology for stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) and other radiotherapy
Interventional oncology for ablation and arterial treatments when surgery is too risky
International services are growing quickly. At least seven Chinese hospitals opened or launched international departments in a single month in early 2026, and in March 2026 Guangdong named 25 pilot hospitals for international medical services. Leading centres are profiled in the list of best lung cancer hospitals in China, and ChinaCureLink hospital matching compares up to three suitable hospitals for a specific case.
Step 4: Plan Entry, Documents and Length of Stay
Entry rules depend on nationality. Citizens of Australia and New Zealand can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days under a policy extended to 31 December 2026. Citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei have mutual 30-day visa exemption. Citizens of Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are not on the 30-day list and usually need a visa; their 240-hour transit option requires onward travel to a third country.
China has no dedicated medical visa. A 30-day visa-free stay is usually enough for a work-up, a procedure or the start of a drug, but not for treatment lasting several months. Patients expecting a longer stay should apply for a visa that covers it before travelling. The China medical visa guide explains the options, and the wider logistics are covered in how to travel to China for medical treatment.
How long the stay lasts depends mostly on the treatment:
The treating team confirms the expected length of stay in writing after the remote review, which is what the visa plan should be based on.
Step 5: Treatment and Re-Testing in China
On arrival, the hospital examines the patient and usually repeats some tests, such as a new CT, blood work or a biopsy if the tumour has changed. A multidisciplinary team then confirms the plan. Options range from microwave ablation for lung cancer in China to newer drugs and, after standard options are exhausted, investigational approaches such as lung cancer TIL therapy in China.
New drugs can cause serious side effects, so the quality of supportive care matters as much as the drug. When the US patient treated with ivonescimab in Shanghai developed a serious immune-related reaction, his hospital moved him to intensive care and brought the drug's principal investigator into the case review.
Step 6: Paying for Treatment as an International Patient
International patients pay as self-pay patients. China's national insurance does not cover foreign visitors, and international departments set their own prices, typically several times the standard national insurance rate. Most hospitals ask for payment or a deposit before treatment.
International insurance rarely pays the hospital directly; fewer than 30% of international insurers can settle bills in China. Patients usually pay first and claim after returning home, so itemised English invoices and medical reports should be requested before leaving. Coverage questions are covered in medical insurance in China.
Step 7: Continuing Treatment After Returning Home
Many lung cancer drugs are taken for months or years, so the plan for home matters as much as the treatment in China.
Families arranging care for a breast cancer diagnosis can find separate follow-up planning in the guide on how to arrange breast cancer treatment in China.
Drug supply. Each country sets its own rules. Australia, for example, lets travellers bring up to a three-month supply with a prescription or doctor's letter; more needs a Special Access Scheme application by an Australian doctor.
Monitoring. A local oncologist should check scans and side effects. Targeted drugs can stop working, and regular scans catch this early.
Records. An English discharge summary, treatment plan and imaging should go to the home doctor.
Follow-up with China. Online follow-up visits are allowed for patients already seen in person, so the Chinese team can stay involved.
Case Studies: Two International Lung Cancer Patients
A 60-Year-Old New York Patient on a Drug Bought in Shanghai
Diane R. (alias), a 60-year-old jeweller from New York, had an EGFR exon 20 insertion lung cancer. By early 2025 she had been through chemotherapy and surgery, and the cancer had spread to her brain. Sunvozertinib, which targets her mutation, was approved in China but not yet sold in the United States. Her son flew to Shanghai and brought home 26 boxes in his luggage. Nearly two years later she was still working.
Her story also shows why Step 7 matters. Another patient helped by the same family received a six-month supply from China, and scans after three months showed it was not working. Regular monitoring at home is what catches this.
A 74-Year-Old Indonesian Patient Considered Too High-Risk for Surgery
Arif Santoso (alias) had a 4.7 cm lung adenocarcinoma close to major blood vessels, and doctors in Indonesia judged surgery too risky. At a licensed oncology hospital in Guangzhou, China, a multidisciplinary team planned bronchial artery chemoembolisation followed by CT-guided cryoablation. One week after the arterial treatment, the tumour had shrunk to 37.5 mm. After cryoablation he was out of bed the next day with a much-improved cough. His journey is told in this lung cancer cryoablation case. Another international patient's experience with targeted therapy is in this EGFR-mutated lung cancer case study.
How International Patients Can Get Lung Cancer Treatment in China
1. Through ChinaCureLink, the dedicated international patient pathway. ChinaCureLink represents the patient, not any hospital, and takes no hospital commission. There is no fee to apply to hospitals; on-site support carries a moderate fee quoted per case. After a free advisory call, ChinaCureLink identifies and compares up to three suitable hospitals or lung cancer specialists. The patient selects one, and ChinaCureLink arranges a video second opinion with that specialist. If the patient proceeds, ChinaCureLink coordinates the appointment, records and translation, hospital communication, treatment planning, travel and in-China support.
2. Through a hospital's international department. Many leading hospitals run international departments with English-speaking staff. They are a direct route but usually expect the patient to attend in person, and prices are set separately from standard rates.
3. Through a clinical trial. Some new lung cancer drugs are available only in trials. Eligibility is strict, and not every trial accepts international patients. The steps are set out in how to join a cancer clinical trial in China.
4. Through a home oncologist's network. Some oncologists have academic contacts in China and can request an informal opinion, though this rarely includes booking or travel support.
What to Expect When Booking a Chinese Hospital Directly
Booking directly is possible, but international lung cancer patients often run into these limits:
Registration built for residents. Some leading cancer hospitals take outpatient bookings only through their app or WeChat, require a Chinese mobile number and accept only WeChat Pay or Alipay.
Records in Chinese. Reports, scans and discharge summaries are usually issued in Chinese.
Short outpatient slots. A complex lung cancer history is hard to cover in a brief visit through an interpreter.
Higher international prices. International departments price their services separately, often several times the standard rate, and payment is usually upfront.
No answer before travel. Without a records review first, a patient may arrive to find a test must be repeated, the biomarker does not fit the drug, or the stay will outlast the visa-free period.
No plan for home. Hospitals focus on the treatment in China; drug supply and monitoring after return are left to the patient.
ChinaCureLink replies to new case enquiries within 10 minutes. A preliminary case review checks the patient's records and biomarkers against what Chinese lung cancer teams can offer, then outlines up to three suitable hospitals or specialists, before any travel is booked.
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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
Can foreigners get lung cancer treatment in China?
Yes. Chinese hospitals treat international patients, and many leading centres have international departments. Most patients start with a remote review of their records, then travel once a hospital confirms a suitable plan.
How long do I need to stay in China for lung cancer treatment?
It depends on the treatment. Starting a targeted drug or having ablation can take a short stay, radiotherapy usually takes one to two weeks, and surgery or repeated chemotherapy cycles take longer. The treating team confirms the timeline after reviewing the records.
Do I need a medical visa to get cancer treatment in China?
China has no dedicated medical visa. Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei can enter visa-free for up to 30 days; longer treatment, or other nationalities, need a visa arranged before travel.
Can I take lung cancer medicine from China back home?
Usually, within limits set by the home country. Australia, for example, allows travellers to carry up to a three-month supply with a prescription or doctor's letter. A local oncologist should monitor treatment after return.
About ChinaCureLink
ChinaCureLink helps international patients access advanced treatment at China's leading hospitals without the delays, language barriers and administrative confusion that usually come with seeking care abroad. From the first case review through treatment and follow-up, every step is guided, translated and coordinated by a team experienced in cross-border patient care.
ChinaCureLink is affiliated with Medebound HEALTH, founded by US physicians, with more than 10 years of experience and more than 3,000 patients served worldwide. Medebound HEALTH has been recognised by Forbes and is a trusted cross-border patient concierge company across North America and the Asia-Pacific.
References
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Ling X, Ding N. Foreign patients come to China for cancer treatment (一针99万元，外国人来中国抗癌). Caijing via Phoenix News, 2 September 2026. https://news.ifeng.com/c/8w5faOAEcno
Americans now cross the ocean to China for medicines (跨洋求药，轮到美国人来中国了). Phoenix News via Huxiu, 29 October 2026. https://www.huxiu.com/article/4901470.html
ASCO Post. Ivonescimab significantly improves overall survival vs pembrolizumab in PD-L1-positive advanced NSCLC, September 2026. https://ascopost.com/news/september-2026/ivonescimab-significantly-improves-overall-survival-vs-pembrolizumab-in-pd-l1-positive-advanced-nsclc/
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Pharma Now. Boehringer Ingelheim gains China NMPA conditional approval for zongertinib in first-line HER2-mutant NSCLC, 22 May 2026. https://pharmanow.live/latest-news/boehringer-ingelheim-china-nmpa-approval-zongertinib-her2-mutant-nsclc
OncLive. Sunvozertinib approved in China for NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations, August 2023. https://onclive.com/view/sunvozertinib-approved-in-china-for-nsclc-with-egfr-exon-20-insertion-mutations
Han B, et al. Cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2022. Journal of the National Cancer Center, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39036382/
Consulate General of China in Adelaide. Notice on the Extension of the Unilateral Visa-Free Policy, 4 November 2025. https://adelaide.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/gg_1_1/202511/t20251104_11746678.htm
Therapeutic Goods Administration. Travelling with medicines and medical devices. https://tga.gov.au/products/travelling-medicines-and-medical-devices
Ropes & Gray. China's Health Authorities Issue New Rules on Telemedicine, 2018. https://www.ropesgray.com/en/newsroom/alerts/2018/09/Chinas-Health-Authorities-Issue-New-Rules-on-Telemedicine
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. A Guide for International Patients. https://english.sysucc.org.cn/index_24.aspx
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical or financial advice. Treatment eligibility, protocols, entry rules and costs vary by individual case and change over time. Confirm specifics with a coordinator, the treating physician and the relevant immigration authority before making any decisions.
