CHINA HIFU
LEADERSHIP
China pioneered USgHIFU through the HAIFU system developed at Chongqing Medical University — and has since built the world's largest focused ultrasound clinical programme, with over 200 approved treatment centres and the most comprehensive published evidence base for HIFU in oncology and gynaecology.
analyticsAt a Glance
- check_circleHAIFU (Chongqing HAIFU Medical Technology Co.) is the world's most widely installed USgHIFU system — used at over 200 centres in China
- check_circleChina accounts for the majority of all USgHIFU procedures performed globally — particularly for uterine fibroids, liver, and pancreatic cancer
- check_circleInternational patients access HAIFU treatment at Tier 3A academic medical centres for costs 60–80% below Western equivalents
- check_circleCancerFax partners with HAIFU-certified centres and coordinates the full international patient pathway
How China Became the Global Leader in USgHIFU
The HAIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) system was developed in the 1990s at Chongqing Medical University by Professor Wang Zhibiao and colleagues — the first clinically deployed USgHIFU platform designed for solid tumour ablation. China's regulatory framework approved HAIFU for clinical use in 1999, making China the first country to have an approved focused ultrasound ablation system for oncological indications.
“China did not just adopt HIFU — it invented the clinical USgHIFU paradigm, built the evidence base, trained the operators, and constructed the largest focused ultrasound infrastructure in the world over 25 years.”
The HAIFU System: Global Reach from a Chinese Origin
The HAIFU JC-200 and subsequent systems are now used in over 30 countries — with the China domestic network of 200+ centres representing the largest single national HIFU programme globally. HAIFU systems have treated over 100,000 patients cumulatively, generating the largest USgHIFU outcome dataset in the world across uterine fibroids, liver, pancreatic, bone, and soft tissue tumours.
Chongqing as a HIFU Centre of Excellence
Chongqing Medical University's affiliated hospitals — particularly the First Affiliated Hospital and the HAIFU Hospital — are the global reference centres for USgHIFU. Operators from across China and internationally complete training fellowships here. The published outcome data from these centres form the backbone of the global USgHIFU evidence base.
Leading Chinese Centres for HIFU Treatment
The following centres represent China's most established HIFU programmes by indication — all are accessible to international patients through CancerFax coordination.
| Centre | City | Primary HIFU Indications | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chongqing Medical University 1st Affiliated Hospital / HAIFU Hospital | Chongqing | Liver, pancreas, uterine fibroid, bone, soft tissue — all indications | Global reference centre; highest HIFU volume in China; operator training hub; all HAIFU system versions |
| Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) | Beijing | Liver HCC, pancreatic cancer, bone metastases | National cancer flagship; multidisciplinary HIFU-oncology integration; combination with TACE protocols |
| Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC) | Guangzhou | Liver, pancreatic, abdominal tumours | South China's leading cancer centre; active HIFU translational research; hepatobiliary MDT |
| Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University | Shanghai | Liver HCC, TACE + HIFU combined protocols | Hepatology centre of excellence; largest sequential TACE-HIFU HCC series in China |
| West China Hospital, Sichuan University | Chengdu | Liver, pancreas, uterine fibroids, bone | Southwest China reference centre; proximity to Chongqing HAIFU training axis |
| Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology | Wuhan | Uterine fibroids, liver, pancreatic | Central China's premier HIFU centre; large fibroid treatment volume; published uterine series |
| Peking University Cancer Hospital | Beijing | Liver HCC, abdominal malignancies | High-volume hepatobiliary oncology; HIFU integrated into liver cancer multidisciplinary programme |
Chinese HAIFU Evidence: Selected Outcome Benchmarks
Published data from HAIFU-certified Chinese centres across major indications — representing the largest single-system USgHIFU dataset available globally.
Uterine Fibroids — Symptom Relief and NPV (HAIFU Series)
Pooled from Chen et al. (2016) and HAIFU clinical registry data; >10,000 patients treated
- Symptom relief rate at 12 months82–90%
- Mean non-perfused volume (NPV) ratio78%
- Major complication rate1.2%
HCC — HIFU Alone and HIFU + TACE (Chinese Hepatology Series)
Zhongshan Hospital and Chongqing series; unresectable HCC ≤8 cm
- Objective response rate: HIFU + TACE72%
- 1-year overall survival: HIFU + TACE64%
- Objective response rate: HIFU alone51%
How International Patients Access HIFU in China
The pathway from first inquiry to completed HIFU treatment at a Chinese centre typically takes 3–5 weeks with CancerFax coordination.
- 1
Record Submission
Submit imaging (CT/MRI), clinical history, and any prior oncology reports to CancerFax. Records in any language are accepted — our clinical team prepares a structured oncology summary for the receiving Chinese centre.
- 2
Centre Matching
CancerFax identifies the most appropriate HAIFU centre based on your indication, tumour location, and preferred geography within China. Referral is made to the specific HIFU unit at that centre.
- 3
Remote Consultation
A video or written consultation with the HIFU specialist at the selected centre provides eligibility assessment, acoustic window review, and an itemised cost estimate. A medical interpreter is provided by CancerFax for Chinese-language consultations.
- 4
Visa and Travel Preparation
CancerFax issues a hospital invitation letter for the medical visa application. Ground logistics — airport transfer, hotel near the treating hospital, hospital registration — are arranged simultaneously.
- 5
Planning Assessment and Treatment
On arrival, a pre-treatment acoustic window assessment is performed (1–2 days before the first session). The HIFU treatment course (typically 1–4 sessions) proceeds over 3–7 days. Post-treatment imaging confirms the result before discharge.
- 6
Follow-Up from Home
CancerFax provides remote imaging review at 4–6 weeks by forwarding your follow-up CT or MRI to the treating centre. A written response assessment report is returned in English.
China HIFU: Key Numbers
The scale of China's HIFU programme in context.
- 200+HAIFU-certified treatment centres in ChinaThe largest national USgHIFU network globally — spanning all provincial capitals and most Tier 2 cities.
- 100,000+Cumulative HAIFU procedures performedAcross all indications globally, with China accounting for the majority — the largest USgHIFU outcome dataset in the world.
- 60–80%Cost saving vs United States for HIFU treatmentHIFU at Chinese Tier 3A academic centres costs USD 3,000–10,000 depending on indication vs USD 15,000–40,000 in the US.
- 1999Year HAIFU received Chinese regulatory approvalMaking China the first country in the world to have an approved clinical USgHIFU system — 5 years before CE marking in Europe.
More from the HIFU Therapy Resource Library
Continue exploring HIFU — from the technology platforms to the patient experience and India access options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from international patients considering HIFU treatment in China.
About HIFU in China
Is the HAIFU system the same quality as MRI-guided HIFU systems used in the West?
The HAIFU system is a ultrasound-guided rather than MRI-guided platform — a different approach, not a lower-quality one. USgHIFU and MRgFUS are suited to different clinical applications: MRgFUS (InSightec ExAblate) has the advantage of real-time temperature mapping for fibroids and transcranial applications; HAIFU has the advantages of lower cost, greater flexibility in patient positioning, no claustrophobia constraint, and the largest published clinical dataset of any single HIFU system in the world. For liver, pancreatic, and bone applications, USgHIFU is the standard — MRgFUS is not routinely used for these indications even in the West.
How long will I need to stay in China for HIFU treatment?
For straightforward single-indication treatments — a uterine fibroid, a small liver tumour, or a bone metastasis — the total stay is typically 7–10 days: 2 days for pre-treatment assessment, 1–3 treatment sessions over 3–5 days, and 1–2 days post-treatment before discharge. More complex cases or larger tumours requiring 3–4 sessions may require a 10–14 day stay. CancerFax provides a centre-specific timeline estimate based on your case before you book travel.
Can I have HIFU in China if I am already receiving chemotherapy at home?
Yes — and this combination is standard practice at Chinese HIFU centres, particularly for pancreatic and liver cancer. Most systemic chemotherapy regimens are not interrupted for HIFU treatment — the sessions are timed around chemotherapy cycles. If you are on a short-interval regimen (weekly paclitaxel, for example), the scheduling requires more careful coordination, but it is generally manageable. CancerFax works with your home oncologist and the Chinese HIFU team to align the HIFU schedule with your systemic therapy calendar.
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.
Access HIFU in China Through CancerFax
CancerFax reviews your imaging and connects you with the most appropriate HAIFU-certified centre in China for your indication — coordinating consultation, visa support, treatment, and post-procedure follow-up from a single point of contact.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified oncologist before making treatment decisions.