Beijing Cancer Hospital (PKUPH) Guide for International Patients (2026)

Full name: Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute / 北京大学肿瘤医院

Location: 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing. Subway Line 10, Chegongzhuang West Station, Exit B (~10-min walk).

Specialties: All major solid tumour types. Particularly strong in gastrointestinal cancers (stomach, colorectal, liver), lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and head/neck cancers.

Structure: The hospital operates specialised tumour departments — not a general oncology department. Each department focuses on one cancer site (e.g. Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Department of Thoracic Oncology). This specialist structure means patients see oncologists who treat that specific cancer type daily.

Outpatient hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–12:00. Some departments have afternoon clinics.

Clinical expertise: The hospital's tumour-specific departments have among the highest case volumes in China. High volume consistently produces better outcomes in oncology — especially for surgery.

Multidisciplinary approach: For complex cases, the hospital holds MDT (multidisciplinary team) meetings where surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology specialists jointly plan treatment. Requesting an MDT consultation is strongly recommended for complex or ambiguous cases.

Research and clinical trials: As a teaching hospital affiliated with Peking University, the hospital runs active clinical trials in most major tumour types. New targeted therapies and immunotherapies may be accessible through trials.

Pathology and molecular testing: The hospital's pathology department can perform comprehensive molecular profiling — gene mutation testing, PD-L1 expression, MSI status — which is essential for determining targeted therapy and immunotherapy options.

Cost: Cancer treatment costs in Beijing are dramatically lower than in the US or UK, even for complex chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapies, and surgery.

For outpatient consultations: Book via 京医通 app or the hospital's WeChat mini-programme. Slots are listed by doctor and department. For first visits, booking a senior consultant (主任医师) is recommended — they make the key treatment decisions.

For MDT consultation: MDT consultations must be arranged through the outpatient department after an initial consultation. They are not available for walk-in booking. Your treating doctor initiates the MDT request.

For international patients without Chinese language support: Beijing Cancer Hospital does not have a formal international medical department. A patient escort with medical translation is essential. We can help you identify the right department, prepare your records in Chinese, and accompany you throughout.

What to bring to the first appointment: - All pathology reports (biopsy or surgical pathology), with slides if possible - Imaging (CT, PET-CT, MRI — bring original discs, not printouts) - Previous treatment records (surgery reports, chemotherapy regimens, radiation treatment summaries) - Genetic testing results if available (EGFR, KRAS, BRCA, etc.) - A concise bilingual medical summary (we can prepare this)

Beijing Cancer Hospital offers a full range of oncology treatments:

Surgery: Minimally invasive (laparoscopic, robotic-assisted) and open surgery for most solid tumours. The hospital is particularly strong in gastric, colorectal, and lung cancer surgery.

Medical oncology: Conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy (EGFR inhibitors, HER2 therapies, VEGF inhibitors, CDK4/6 inhibitors, etc.), and immunotherapy (PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors). China's pharmaceutical market includes both international brands and domestic equivalents at lower cost.

Radiation oncology: IMRT, VMAT, stereotactic radiosurgery (SBRT/SABR), and brachytherapy.

Endoscopy and interventional: Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, ablation procedures, interventional radiology.

Pathology and molecular diagnostics: Comprehensive tumour profiling including NGS (next-generation sequencing) panels, which can identify actionable mutations for targeted therapy.

*Note: All costs below are paid directly to Beijing Cancer Hospital in CNY. Our patient escort service fee is quoted separately in USD.*

Approximate cost benchmarks (self-pay, CNY): - Outpatient consultation: CNY ¥50–500 - CT scan (chest/abdomen): CNY ¥600–1,500 - PET-CT scan: CNY ¥7,000–9,000 - Biopsy (image-guided): CNY ¥2,000–5,000 - NGS molecular profiling panel: CNY ¥8,000–20,000 depending on panel size - Gastric cancer surgery (D2 gastrectomy): CNY ¥50,000–120,000 - Colorectal cancer surgery: CNY ¥40,000–100,000 - Lung lobectomy (VATS): CNY ¥50,000–100,000 - Chemotherapy cycle: CNY ¥3,000–30,000 per cycle depending on regimen - Targeted therapy (monthly): CNY ¥5,000–30,000 (many targeted drugs now covered by national insurance) - Hospital stay: CNY ¥800–2,500 per day

Exchange reference: 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY (2026).

Treatment duration: Cancer treatment often requires multiple visits or an extended stay. Surgery involves admission, the procedure, and recovery (typically 7–21 days inpatient). Chemotherapy is usually given in cycles every 2–3 weeks. Plan your timeline realistically.

Language: All consultations, records, and forms are in Chinese. A professional patient escort with oncology knowledge is strongly recommended — cancer terminology is among the most specialised and emotionally high-stakes of any medical field.

Emotional support: Receiving a cancer diagnosis or planning cancer treatment in an unfamiliar healthcare system is deeply stressful. Having consistent professional support throughout the process — someone who understands both the medical content and the logistical challenges — makes a substantial difference.

Clinical trials: If you are interested in clinical trial participation, ask specifically at your first consultation. Eligibility criteria vary by trial, and some trials are open only to patients who have not yet received prior systemic treatment.