A closer look at the hospital

Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University, specializes in chest and lung disease. Its major programs include thoracic surgery, lung cancer medical oncology and tuberculosis. Cancer care spans pulmonary nodules, early disease, perioperative treatment and systemic therapy for advanced cancer, supported by expertise in complex pulmonary diagnosis and underlying lung conditions.

Published clinical work covers lung nodules, minimally invasive thoracic surgery and preoperative treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. For someone weighing the extent of surgery or seeking reassessment after medicines, changes on imaging, mediastinal nodes and lung function are more informative than tumour size alone.

A hospital focused on chest and lung disease can consider the tumour together with underlying pulmonary conditions. Lung function, airways and previous lung treatment affect tolerance of surgery and other therapy. This specialist setting is relevant to complex pulmonary histories, multiple nodules or review of the proposed resection.

Clinical strengths

Lung nodules and early lung cancer surgery

Lung nodules and early lung cancer are important parts of the thoracic service’s work. The team contributes to clinical care and consensus research linking imaging, pathology and local treatment. Nodules do not all need the same approach; observation, tissue diagnosis and surgery each have a role in selected cases.

When surgery is needed, the extent of resection must be considered alongside location, lung preservation and lymph-node assessment. Detailed planning is particularly relevant to limited lung function or multiple lesions.

Surgical review after preoperative treatment

The hospital studies neoadjuvant treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. After chemotherapy or immunotherapy, provide dates and reassessment studies so the team can discuss response, surgical timing and what pathology after surgery may clarify.

Medical oncology: targeted therapy, immunotherapy and resistance

Medical oncology is central to the hospital’s lung cancer program. Shengxiang Ren, Chunxia Su, Fengying Wu and colleagues work on precision treatment and translational research, including targeted therapies, immunotherapy and drug resistance.

For advanced or recurrent cancer, pathology, molecular findings and treatment history inform the next decision. Medical oncology also contributes to perioperative treatment planning for surgical cases.

Tuberculosis and complex pulmonary disease

Tuberculosis is a longstanding specialty at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital. Wei Sha and colleagues work on tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease, including drug-resistant and previously treated cases.

This expertise is relevant when abnormal chest imaging has several possible causes or cancer care must also account for infection or underlying lung disease. Previous infection records and lung function results help establish that context.

Specialists & clinical teams

Gening Jiang

Complex central lung cancer surgery and lung preservation

Jiang’s team examined 1,981 sleeve lobectomy and pneumonectomy cases, including 665 matched pairs, in a study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in 2021. This surgical experience is relevant to central lung tumors near major airways: assessing bronchial or vascular reconstruction to preserve functioning lung while obtaining adequate margins. The study was observational.

View supporting source

Shengxiang Ren

Immunotherapy combinations for advanced squamous lung cancer

Ren was first author of CameL-Sq, a randomized phase III trial conducted at 53 Chinese centers comparing camrelizumab plus chemotherapy with chemotherapy alone in advanced squamous NSCLC. This provides a distinct focus from EGFR-targeted therapy: selecting an immunotherapy combination for squamous disease while considering the patient’s ability to tolerate treatment.

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

Prioritise full chest CT studies, pathology and molecular tests. If surgery has been proposed, add lung function and relevant heart or lung conditions. Confirm whether thoracic surgery or oncology should receive the case, as well as the campus and interpreter arrangements.

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

Include chest CT images, pathology, molecular and PD-L1 reports, previous treatment dates and lung-function tests when available.

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

Does a small lung nodule always need immediate surgery?

Size alone is not enough to decide. Ask a specialist to consider change on earlier scans, the appearance of the nodule, overall health and other findings, and explain the reasons for observation, further tests or surgery.

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.