How to Choose the Right Gastric Cancer Specialist in Shanghai — A Patient Guide by CMCS

Overview

Shanghai is home to some of Asia's finest gastric cancer specialists — but with so many expert options across different hospitals and disciplines, knowing which doctor to see first can feel overwhelming. This guide, compiled by the team at China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS), helps international patients navigate their options based on their specific clinical situation.

Each specialist featured in our gastric cancer series brings a distinct area of expertise. Understanding these differences can help you and your family make a more informed decision — and CMCS is here to guide you every step of the way.

Shanghai's Leading Gastric Cancer Specialists at a Glance

How to Choose: Matching Your Situation to the Right Specialist

🔵 Planning Curative Surgery

If your gastric cancer has been staged as resectable and you are planning to undergo surgery, the priority is finding a surgeon with the highest volume and most advanced minimally invasive technique.

• Prof. Zang Lu (Ruijin Hospital) — China's pioneer of fully laparoscopic gastrectomy and lead author of the national guidelines for laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery. An outstanding first choice for patients seeking minimally invasive curative resection.
• Prof. Liu Xiaowen (Fudan University Cancer Hospital) — Expert in da Vinci robotic gastrectomy and function-preserving surgery, with particular strength in integrating perioperative immunotherapy into the surgical pathway.
• Prof. Wang Hongshan (Zhongshan Hospital Wusong) and Dr. Hu Zunqi (Changzheng Hospital) are also excellent options, particularly for patients seeking individualized surgical planning and combined surgery-drug therapy approaches.

🟡 Locally Advanced or Initially Unresectable Disease

For patients whose cancer cannot be immediately operated on — due to tumor size, local invasion, or borderline resectability — the goal is conversion therapy: using systemic treatment to shrink the tumor and create a surgical opportunity.

• Prof. Liu Xiaowen (Fudan University Cancer Hospital) — A national pioneer in perioperative immunotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer, with deep expertise in conversion therapy protocols.
• Prof. Gu Qunhao (Yueyang Hospital) — Specialist in conversion therapy and HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) for peritoneal metastasis — one of the most challenging presentations of advanced gastric cancer.
• Prof. Li Qi (Shanghai First People's Hospital) — For patients who need expert medical oncology guidance on chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy regimens, Prof. Li — an MD Anderson-trained oncologist — is an excellent choice for systemic treatment planning.

🌿 Seeking Integrative TCM-Western Medicine Treatment

For patients who wish to incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine into their cancer care — whether for enhanced recovery, side effect management, or long-term survivorship support — Yueyang Hospital is China's national flagship center for TCM-Western medicine collaboration in oncology.

• Prof. Fang Shengquan (Yueyang Hospital) — Director of the Digestive Disease Center and leader of China's National TCM-Western Medicine Collaborative Flagship Department. Advocates for full-course integrative management from prevention through to advanced disease. Particularly recommended for patients with early gastric cancer or those seeking long-term prevention and survivorship care.
• Prof. Gu Qunhao (Yueyang Hospital) — Surgical counterpart at Yueyang, combining minimally invasive surgery with TCM-enhanced ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocols. Recommended for patients who want integrative support throughout the surgical journey.

Important Notes for International Patients

• Specialist clinic schedules change frequently. Before traveling to Shanghai, always confirm the latest appointment availability through the hospital's official app, website, or by contacting CMCS directly.
• A second opinion is always worthwhile. For complex or advanced cases, CMCS can arrange consultations with multiple specialists to ensure you have the most comprehensive picture before committing to a treatment plan.
• Remote pre-consultation is available. All specialists featured in this guide can review your medical records, imaging, and pathology reports remotely before your arrival in Shanghai, allowing treatment planning to begin immediately.

How CMCS Can Help

Navigating gastric cancer treatment abroad — across multiple hospitals, specialists, and disciplines — is complex. CMCS acts as your dedicated medical concierge, coordinating every aspect of your care so you can focus on what matters most.

Our services include:

• ✅ Expert matching — we assess your case and recommend the most appropriate specialist(s) for your situation
• ✅ Direct appointment coordination with all featured specialists
• ✅ Medical record, imaging, and pathology translation and pre-consultation review
• ✅ Multi-specialist second opinion coordination
• ✅ Hospital admission and treatment scheduling support
• ✅ Accommodation and logistics coordination in Shanghai
• ✅ Post-treatment follow-up and remote check-in support

Contact CMCS

Ready to take the next step? Our team is here to help you find the right specialist and plan your treatment in Shanghai.

📧 Email: contract@medicalsh.com
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CMCS — China Medical Concierge Shanghai. Connecting international patients with Shanghai's finest specialists.