A closer look at the hospital

More than 2,000 operations annually and 48 specialist beds define the scale reported by Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital’s bone tumor and bone disease surgery service. Its work includes primary bone and soft-tissue tumors, metastases and difficult bone disorders. For patients facing amputation, major bone loss or pelvic tumors, the key strength is combining tumor removal with limb reconstruction.

The department lists 3D-printed implants, fibular graft reconstruction, pelvic and sacral tumor reconstruction, and childhood rotationplasty among its techniques. These address different bone, joint and soft-tissue defects, with the aim of retaining a useful limb alongside cancer control.

The integrated center connects surgery, medical oncology, imaging, pathology and thoracic surgery. It advertises integrated clinics and a 24-hour outpatient needle-biopsy fast track. International patients should confirm arrangements before travel; the biopsy pathway does not mean all pathology tests are completed within 24 hours.

The practical questions extend beyond retaining a limb: walking, joint stability and future operations as a child grows also matter. Orthopedic and microsurgical expertise allows these functional goals to be considered when planning tumor removal.

Clinical strengths

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas

Bone and soft tissue sarcoma care depends on accurate pathology and careful surgical planning. Sixth Hospital’s tumour service combines resection with orthopaedic reconstruction, addressing margins as well as postoperative structure and function. Lesions near joints, important nerves or vessels need particularly detailed anatomical review.

The role of medicines differs among sarcoma subtypes, as does treatment around surgery. Specialist assessment brings pathology, staging and systemic treatment together when planning local care and rehabilitation.

Limb salvage: reconstruction matched to the defect

Limb salvage must address the bone, joint, muscle and vascular defects left by tumor removal. Sixth Hospital uses joint replacement, custom implants and the patient’s own tissue in reconstruction, selected according to location, resection extent, soft-tissue condition, age and activity needs.

Children also need planning for growth; pelvic and spinal disease raises questions of weight bearing and nerve function. Specialist care turns these issues into a coordinated surgical, reconstruction and rehabilitation plan.

Bone metastases and skeletal problems

Patients with bone metastases may need help with pain, fracture risk or limited mobility. Include the primary cancer, systemic treatment plan and local imaging so orthopaedic treatment can be considered within the wider cancer plan.

Medical oncology: sarcoma, breast cancer and bone metastases

Sixth Hospital’s bone tumor care extends beyond surgery. Zan Shen, Shuier Zheng and colleagues work on systemic treatment of bone and soft tissue malignancies and bone metastases; the medical oncology service also treats breast cancer.

For advanced disease, symptom relief and supportive care are considered alongside cancer treatment. Planning takes account of the primary cancer, skeletal stability and mobility.

Orthopedics, limb repair and reconstruction

The orthopedic program spans trauma, microsurgical repair, joint reconstruction and osteonecrosis. Changqing Zhang’s work on femoral head necrosis, nonunion and complex hip reconstruction represents part of this broader expertise.

For bone tumor patients, these subspecialties help address major bone defects, joint involvement and restoration of weight-bearing function after surgery.

Endocrinology and ultrasound medicine

Endocrinology and metabolism are further hospital strengths, represented by Academician Weiping Jia’s work on diabetes and metabolic disease. This expertise is relevant to patients whose cancer care also requires management of underlying conditions.

Ultrasound specialists including Bing Hu work in diagnosis and image-guided interventions involving organs such as the liver and kidney. Biopsy or local treatment is assessed in the context of the diagnosis and overall plan.

Specialists & clinical teams

Yang Dong

Tumors around joints and tenosynovial giant cell tumor

Dong participated in the phase Ib study of pimicotinib for tenosynovial giant cell tumor, reported at ASCO in 2023. This adds a drug-development perspective when repeated surgery, impaired joint movement or difficult resection limits options. TGCT is usually nonmalignant but can cause substantial local damage; specialist assessment should weigh systemic treatment alongside surgery.

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

Provide pathology, local MRI and biopsy or operation reports, and explain mobility or equipment needs. Confirm the campus, transport and accessibility arrangements together. If a biopsy was performed elsewhere, keep the procedure report and details of where the tissue is held.

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

Send original imaging covering the whole involved bone or compartment, biopsy slides or reports, previous operative notes and any chemotherapy. Discuss biopsy planning with the treating tumour 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

Can I seek a consultation before a biopsy?

You can request a specialist imaging review and ask whether the receiving team should plan the biopsy. Tissue sampling can affect subsequent surgical planning, so the treating team should guide the next step.

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.