A closer look at the hospital

Founded in 1864, Shanghai General Hospital is a major hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, with campuses in Hongkou and Songjiang. Its strengths include ophthalmology, urology, bone and soft tissue oncology, gastrointestinal surgery and hematology. Cancer care extends from complex orthopedic reconstruction to urologic and digestive cancer surgery, hematologic treatment and coordinated management of underlying illness.

Bone tumors are one important part of the hospital’s expertise. Urologic, gastrointestinal and hematologic cases require their own specialty teams, with the campus and investigations confirmed around the patient’s diagnosis and treatment stage.

The bone and soft tissue tumour centre connects clinical surgery and research, with documented work in complex bone tumours, pelvic operations and reconstruction. Pelvic cases can involve weight-bearing structures, nerves and major vessels in the same area, making disease experience and reconstructive planning closely linked.

Clinical strengths

Pelvic and complex bone tumours

Pelvic tumours occupy demanding anatomy, so resection and reconstruction need to be planned together. The programme’s work includes pelvic and other complex bone tumours, considering margins alongside pelvic stability, hip function and mobility after surgery.

After previous surgery or recurrence, original imaging and operation reports add information that current scans may not show. Specialist review connects those records with the present disease when assessing further local treatment and reconstruction.

Soft tissue sarcoma and recurrence

Histological subtype and prior treatment strongly influence soft tissue sarcoma care. After surgery elsewhere, provide the operation report, margin findings and pretreatment imaging so the original extent of disease can be understood.

Bone metastases and function

For bone metastases, surgical goals may include addressing skeletal problems, maintaining mobility and supporting continued systemic treatment. Local findings should be reviewed alongside the plan for the primary cancer.

Urologic oncology and minimally invasive surgery

Urology is an important specialty at Shanghai General Hospital. Bangmin Han and colleagues work on prostate and bladder cancer and complex urologic surgery, including laparoscopic and robotic approaches. Multidisciplinary assessment considers surgery alongside other local or systemic treatments.

Prostate cancer planning starts with stage and risk. For bladder and other urologic cancers, cancer control, urinary reconstruction and quality of life are considered together.

Gastrointestinal cancer surgery and complex medical needs

The gastrointestinal program treats gastric and colorectal cancers, with Chen Huang’s team working on minimally invasive treatment. Published hospital reports also describe collaboration with cardiovascular and anesthesia teams for medically complex patients.

For older patients or those with poor nutrition or heart and lung disease, assessment considers both the tumor and the ability to complete surgery and subsequent treatment.

Hematologic cancer and stem cell transplantation

The hematology service treats diseases including leukemia and provides hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Xianmin Song and colleagues represent the hospital’s expertise in this area.

Transplant assessment considers the disease subtype, previous therapy, remission status and organ function. Records of earlier transplantation or multiple treatment lines help clarify further treatment and supportive care needs.

Ophthalmology and the wider hospital platform

Ophthalmology is another major specialty, with Xun Xu and colleagues working on retinal disease and diabetic retinopathy. The hospital has major campuses in Hongkou and Songjiang and organizes cancer care through multidisciplinary clinics and a comprehensive cancer program.

International patients benefit from identifying the appropriate specialty, expert and campus before travel. We can help organize the clinical question and records for that process.

Specialists & clinical teams

Zhengdong Cai and the orthopedic oncology team

Pelvic tumor reconstruction and treatment of bone metastases

Cai coedited Pelvic Surgery and has a focused surgical practice in a region where tumor removal can directly affect walking. His team also published clinical research on O-arm-guided microwave ablation with cementoplasty for acetabular metastases. The practical distinction is assessing major resection and reconstruction versus a less invasive approach to pain relief and bone stabilization.

View supporting source

Study results describe selected patient groups, not an individual doctor’s success rate. Availability, case acceptance and the treating team require hospital confirmation.

Your international care journey

Confirm the campus used by the bone tumour team. International patients should describe mobility, equipment and caregiver needs when arranging transport and accommodation. Obtain receiving instructions before shipping slides or tissue blocks.

Share your records and questions
Send the diagnosis, pathology, imaging and treatment history. Explain whether you want a second opinion, information about a treatment or an in-person visit. We help organise the records and identify missing information.
Confirm the specialty and acceptance
The relevant service confirms whether it can accept the case and whether pathology review or more records are needed. The hospital determines whether remote assessment or a multidisciplinary opinion is appropriate.
Agree appointments, costs and travel
Confirm the campus, first appointment, proposed assessment and payment requirements before arranging visas, accommodation, transport and interpreting. Discuss caregivers and length of stay when repeated treatment is expected.
Attend assessment and discuss the plan
The clinicians assess the case, arrange necessary tests and explain suitable options, expected benefits and risks. Discuss costs and logistics alongside the clinical plan before deciding on the next step.
Stay informed during treatment
Agreed support can include appointments, interpreting and communication during care. Keep track of questions and clinical feedback, and review schedules, costs and family arrangements if the treatment plan changes.
Return home with a follow-up plan
Before departure, collect the discharge summary, pathology and imaging, medicines and follow-up plan. Clarify pending reports and contact arrangements, with support for communication between local and treating clinicians where agreed.

What to prepare for the first enquiry

State the diagnosis, previous treatment and consultation goal. Bone or soft tissue cases need biopsy and original imaging; urologic cases need grading and operative records; gastrointestinal cases need endoscopy; hematology cases need marrow and molecular results. Confirm any missing investigations and the campus with the clinical team.

Diagnosis & pathology

Diagnosis summary, complete pathology, immunohistochemistry, available molecular tests and where tissue is held.

Original imaging

Recent and pretreatment imaging studies with reports and dates, so changes can be compared.

Treatment timeline

Operations, radiotherapy plans, each drug regimen, responses and major side effects; current medicines and allergies.

Your practical needs

Home country, preferred language, possible travel dates, caregiver needs and the questions you want answered.

Start with the records you already have. We can help identify gaps; do not arrange additional tests solely to make an enquiry.

See the full records checklist

Practical details to settle before travel

Costs & payment

Ask what the hospital estimate includes, deposits, additional charges and refund arrangements. Plan travel and living costs separately. Insurance coverage and direct billing require confirmation.

Language & records

Confirm interpreting for appointments, communication during treatment and the language of records. Our China coordination includes Chinese and English support; other languages need advance confirmation of availability and arrangements.

Campus, accommodation & caregivers

Consultations, tests and admission may take place at different sites. Distance, accessibility, caregiver rules and follow-up frequency all affect the itinerary and should be considered once the clinical plan is clearer.

Length of stay & returning home

Assessment, surgery, radiotherapy and cellular treatment have different schedules. Ask the hospital for the expected course, allowing for results and changes in the plan. Confirm readiness to return home with the clinical team.

How Chirona can help

From organising records and contacting an appropriate specialty to travel in China and follow-up at home, we help connect the practical steps. Tell us the diagnosis, treatment so far and the question you most want answered.

Make your history easier to review

Organise treatments and key reports, help with necessary translation and bring the important questions to the clinician.

Find the appropriate clinical service

Enquire with the relevant specialty, follow up on record requirements and help clarify acceptance and appointments.

Coordinate the practical steps in China

Within the agreed scope, help with visa documentation, travel, arrival transport, accommodation and accompaniment.

Keep communication connected

Help organise consultation feedback, records for home and follow-up requirements, with continued contact as agreed.

The hospital and clinicians make diagnostic, treatment and acceptance decisions. Chirona provides consultation and care coordination within the agreed scope.

Explore our service process

Questions before you decide

Are scans from before my previous operation still useful?

Yes. Pretreatment scans, the operation report and margin findings show information that postoperative imaging may not reveal, including the original tumour extent and what the previous surgery involved.

Can I request one of the specialists featured here?

Tell us your preference and we can help enquire. The hospital confirms acceptance, the specialist’s involvement and who provides outpatient or inpatient care. It may also recommend another suitable clinician within the specialty.

Can I contact Chirona before choosing a hospital?

Yes. Share the diagnosis, treatment history and the decision you need help with. We can organise the questions to consider when comparing hospitals and explain the coordination available.

Does submitting records confirm treatment?

Submitting records starts the assessment. The hospital must confirm acceptance and clinical suitability and may require more information or in-person tests. Appointment confirmation, the treatment plan and costs should be clarified separately.

Sources & further reading

Profiles draw on the institutional sources below, including historical material where it explains a programme’s development. Appointments, services and research recruitment can change and need confirmation when enquiring.