BRAIN TUMOUR TREATMENT
IN CHINA: TIANTAN & SPHIC
The world's highest-volume neurosurgery centre and one of the world's only carbon ion therapy facilities — both accessible to international patients through CancerFax.
analyticsAt a Glance
- check_circleBeijing Tiantan Hospital performs over 10,000 neurosurgeries per year — the highest volume in Asia
- check_circleSPHIC Shanghai is one of ~15 centres globally offering carbon ion therapy alongside proton therapy
- check_circleTreatment costs in China are 30–70% lower than equivalent care in the USA or Western Europe
- check_circleCancerFax manages full logistics: medical records, translation, visa, accommodation, and interpreter
Why Do International Patients Choose China for Brain Tumour Treatment?
China's leading academic neurosurgery and neuro-oncology centres combine world-class volume, technology infrastructure, and significantly lower costs than equivalent Western facilities. For brain tumours specifically, two institutions — Beijing Tiantan Hospital and Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC) — offer capabilities that are either unmatched globally by volume (Tiantan) or available at only a handful of centres worldwide (SPHIC carbon ion).
“Volume is expertise in neurosurgery — and no institution in the world operates at the volume of Beijing Tiantan Hospital.”
Beijing Tiantan Hospital — Volume and Breadth
Tiantan performs over 10,000 neurosurgical procedures annually — providing glioma resection, awake craniotomy, intraoperative MRI, 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery, Gamma Knife SRS, and comprehensive neuro-oncology care under one roof.
SPHIC Shanghai — Technology Uniqueness
SPHIC is one of only ~15 centres globally offering carbon ion therapy alongside proton therapy — a technology with higher biological effectiveness than any other radiation modality, particularly valuable for radioresistant tumours like GBM, chordoma, and recurrent brain tumours.
Beijing Tiantan Hospital: Capabilities and Brain Tumour Programmes
Beijing Tiantan Hospital (Capital Medical University) is the designated national brain tumour referral centre of China — offering the full spectrum of neurosurgical and neuro-oncological services.
| Capability | Details | International Patient Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical volume | >10,000 neurosurgeries/year — highest in Asia | Short waiting times relative to Western centres; prioritised slots for international patients via CancerFax |
| Glioma surgery | Awake craniotomy, iMRI-guided resection, 5-ALA fluorescence — all available | All major surgical adjuncts available under one roof |
| Gamma Knife SRS | Leksell Gamma Knife ICON — full cranial SRS programme | Brain metastases, meningioma, acoustic neuroma, AVM — same-day treatment for eligible patients |
| Neuro-oncology MDT | Joint neurosurgery, radiation oncology, neuro-oncology tumour board | International patient cases reviewed; English-language summary reports available via CancerFax |
| Clinical trials | Active enrolment in Chinese NCI and international cooperative trials | International patients may be eligible for select open trials — assessed case by case |
| Molecular diagnostics | Full NGS, IDH, MGMT, 1p/19q, TERT, H3K27M, CDKN2A testing | Tumour blocks or tissue can be sent to Tiantan for re-testing if international pathology incomplete |
SPHIC Shanghai: Capabilities and Brain Tumour Programmes
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC) opened in 2014 and is operated by Fudan University affiliated hospitals — offering the full particle therapy portfolio for brain and other tumours.
| Capability | Details | International Patient Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Proton therapy | 1.5T iMRI-guided and standard proton treatment rooms | Low-grade glioma, paediatric tumours, skull base meningioma, pituitary |
| Carbon ion therapy | One of ~15 carbon ion centres worldwide — 3 treatment rooms | GBM, chordoma, skull base tumours, recurrent post-RT brain tumours |
| Treatment duration | 4–8 weeks on-site depending on protocol | CancerFax arranges nearby accommodation and interpreter for full stay |
| Multidisciplinary team | Neuroradiation oncology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, physics | International case presentations via telemedicine before travel; CancerFax facilitates |
| Paediatric programme | Dedicated paediatric particle therapy programme | Medulloblastoma, ependymoma, low-grade glioma in children |
| Re-irradiation | Carbon ion re-irradiation for recurrent post-RT tumours | One of few centres offering carbon ion retreatment — major draw for recurrent GBM patients |
Treatment Cost Comparison: China vs USA vs Western Europe
China offers the same high-technology neurosurgical and particle therapy capabilities at 30–70% lower cost than equivalent facilities in the USA or Western Europe.
Brain Tumour Surgery (Craniotomy, GBM resection with iMRI + 5-ALA)
Costs vary by complexity, anaesthetic time, and ICU stay. Contact CancerFax for patient-specific quotes.
- China (Tiantan Hospital)~$8,000–18,000
- India (Apollo / Fortis)~$6,000–12,000
- USA~$50,000–120,000
- Germany / Switzerland~$35,000–70,000
Carbon Ion Therapy (Full Brain Tumour Course — SPHIC)
Carbon ion therapy is available at only ~15 centres globally. SPHIC is among the most cost-accessible for international patients.
- SPHIC, China~$50,000–80,000
- Japan (QST-NIRS)~$80,000–130,000
- Germany (HIT Heidelberg)~$90,000–140,000
How CancerFax Facilitates Treatment at Tiantan or SPHIC
CancerFax manages the complete international patient journey — from initial eligibility assessment to discharge planning — removing the logistical and language barriers to treatment in China.
- 1
Medical Record Review and Eligibility Assessment
Patient submits MRI/CT imaging, pathology reports, and treatment history. CancerFax reviews against Tiantan or SPHIC programme eligibility criteria and identifies the most appropriate centre and treatment pathway.
- 2
Remote Telemedicine Consultation
CancerFax facilitates an online consultation with the treating neurosurgeon or radiation oncologist at the identified centre — with simultaneous medical interpretation. A treatment plan and cost estimate are issued.
- 3
Medical Visa and Travel Support
CancerFax provides a formal medical invitation letter for the Chinese medical visa application, and assists with flight, airport transfer, and hotel booking near the hospital.
- 4
On-Ground Interpreter and Coordination
A dedicated bilingual patient coordinator accompanies the patient through admission, daily treatment sessions, and medical appointments — removing the language barrier entirely.
- 5
Post-Treatment Follow-up Coordination
CancerFax coordinates discharge summaries in English, post-treatment MRI reporting, and communication with the patient's home oncologist to ensure continuity of care after return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from international patients considering brain tumour treatment at Chinese centres.
About Treatment in China
How long will I need to stay in China for brain tumour surgery at Tiantan?
For elective brain tumour surgery at Tiantan Hospital, a typical stay is 2–4 weeks: 1–2 days for pre-operative assessment, 1–3 days hospitalisation post-surgery, and 7–14 days for post-operative recovery and outpatient follow-up before return travel is safe. CancerFax will provide a centre-specific timeline based on your surgical plan.
Is there English-language support at Tiantan Hospital?
Tiantan Hospital has an international patient department with English-speaking staff, but clinical consultations are primarily in Mandarin. CancerFax provides dedicated bilingual medical interpreters for all consultations, ward rounds, and treatment sessions — ensuring nothing is lost in translation at any stage of care.
Can I combine surgery at Tiantan with particle therapy at SPHIC?
Yes — this is occasionally planned for patients requiring both surgical debulking (better accessed at Tiantan in Beijing) and subsequent particle therapy (at SPHIC in Shanghai). CancerFax coordinates the care pathway across both cities, including inter-city transfer support and treatment sequencing communication between the two centres.
Does CancerFax charge patients for its services?
CancerFax operates on a service facilitation model — the platform coordinates access to treatment, translation, logistics, and second opinions. Contact us directly to understand the current service structure and any applicable facilitation fees for your specific case.
More from the Brain Tumour Treatment Resource Library
Explore related guides on brain tumour treatment access, costs, and specific modalities available in China.
- ↑ Brain Tumour Treatment — Complete Guide
- Proton and Carbon Ion Therapy for Brain Tumours at SPHIC Shanghai
- Brain Tumour Treatment Costs: China vs India vs USA
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Brain Tumours: A Patient Guide
- Getting a Second Opinion on Brain Tumour Treatment Through CancerFax
- Awake Craniotomy: What It Involves, Who Needs It, and Which Centres Perform It
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Connect with Tiantan Hospital or SPHIC Through CancerFax
CancerFax reviews your MRI imaging, pathology, and treatment history to identify whether Beijing Tiantan Hospital, SPHIC Shanghai, or another China-based centre is the right fit — then manages the full referral, translation, and logistics process.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified neuro-oncologist before making treatment decisions.