TARE IN CHINA: ZHONGSHAN HOSPITAL
AND EHBH SHANGHAI

China accounts for approximately 50% of global hepatocellular carcinoma cases — a disease burden that has driven the development of the world's most experienced liver cancer treatment infrastructure. Chinese interventional oncology teams at major academic centres have performed more TARE procedures in diverse HCC populations than any equivalent institutions in Western countries, producing genuine expertise in PVTT cases, post-TACE refractory disease, and combined TARE + systemic therapy approaches.

“For HCC specifically, China's liver cancer centres have treated more patients with TARE in more clinical contexts than equivalent Western centres — the experience is genuinely unmatched.”

• Zhongshan Hospital — TARE at Asia's Premier Hepatobiliary Centre

  Zhongshan Hospital (Fudan University, Shanghai) is one of Asia's highest-volume hepatobiliary surgery and interventional oncology centres. Its liver cancer multidisciplinary team integrates surgical oncology, medical oncology, interventional radiology, and nuclear medicine — offering both TheraSphere and SIR-Spheres with partition model dosimetry and an established international patient programme.

• EHBH — The World's Largest Liver Cancer Hospital

  Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai) performs more liver resections and liver cancer procedures annually than any other institution in the world. Its interventional oncology team has extensive TARE experience across HCC (including PVTT cases), cholangiocarcinoma, and neuroendocrine liver metastases. EHBH has formal sister-institution relationships with several Western hepatobiliary centres.

A structured reference comparing the two centres across the parameters most relevant to international TARE patients.

CancerFax manages the full access process — from initial record review through treatment and post-procedure follow-up. These are the steps.

1. 1

   Submit Your Liver Imaging and Records

   Upload your multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI (DICOM files preferred), liver function blood tests (bilirubin, albumin, INR, AFP), Child-Pugh score, ECOG performance status, and any prior treatment history (TACE, ablation, systemic therapy). PVTT status and portal vein Doppler findings are critical additional documents.

2. 2

   CancerFax Clinical Review — TARE Eligibility Assessment

   Our clinical team reviews your records and assesses TARE eligibility based on BCLC stage, Child-Pugh score, portal vein status, lung shunt fraction predictors, and prior treatment context. We identify whether Zhongshan or EHBH is the better match based on your tumour profile.

3. 3

   Centre Liaison and Pre-Consultation

   CancerFax submits your records to the interventional radiology and liver multidisciplinary team at the chosen centre. The team provides eligibility confirmation and an indicative treatment plan. A remote pre-consultation with the IR team is arranged by video before you commit to travel.

4. 4

   Mapping Session — Arrival and Pre-Treatment Workup

   You arrive in Shanghai for the mapping angiogram and MAA scan — the mandatory pre-treatment assessment session. This is typically performed 7–14 days before the actual Y-90 treatment. CancerFax arranges airport transfer, accommodation near the hospital, and interpreter support.',

5. 5

   Y-90 Treatment Day

   TARE is performed as a day-case procedure. Post-treatment Bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT confirms microsphere distribution. Most international patients stay in Shanghai for a further 2–3 days post-treatment before returning home, with CancerFax coordinating any interim clinical assessments and arranging translation of all discharge documents.',

6. 6

   Post-Treatment Follow-Up and Home Oncologist Liaison

   CancerFax translates and delivers discharge summary and treatment reports to your home oncologist. We coordinate your 4–6 week safety scan, 3-month response assessment, and any communication with the Zhongshan or EHBH clinical team for questions that arise during follow-up.',

Context figures that illustrate the scale and depth of Chinese liver cancer and TARE expertise.

• ~50%Proportion of global HCC cases occurring in ChinaChina's HCC burden is the driver of its world-leading liver cancer clinical infrastructure — no country has comparable case volume or experience.
• ~6,000+Annual liver resections at EHBH — world's highest volumeEHBH performs more liver cancer surgery than any other single institution globally — experience in complex cases (PVTT, bilobar disease, re-resection) is unmatched.
• 30–50%Approximate cost saving vs equivalent TARE in the USA or UKY-90 in China is substantially more affordable than in Western markets while being performed with comparable GMP-standard microspheres and partition model dosimetry.

Explore the remaining TARE guides — from India access and cost comparisons to the complete question list.

Frequently Asked Questions: TARE at Chinese Centres