China's Most Experienced Interventional Oncologist for Liver Cancer
For patients with intermediate or advanced liver cancer who are not candidates for surgery or transplantation, interventional oncology offers a powerful set of minimally invasive treatments that can control tumor growth, shrink tumors to enable surgery, and significantly extend survival. At Renji Hospital in Shanghai, Dr. Xu Aimin has built the most extensive interventional oncology practice in China — with over 35,000 tumor interventional procedures performed across his career.
Featured Specialist: Dr. Xu Aimin (徐爱民)
Dr. Xu Aimin is Chief Physician of the Department of Interventional Oncology at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (Shanghai Jiaotong Daxue Yixueyuan Fushu Renji Yiyuan) — one of Shanghai's premier academic medical centers and a nationally recognized leader in interventional medicine.
His clinical record is unmatched in China:
- Over 35,000 tumor interventional procedures personally performed — the highest individual volume for interventional oncology in China, spanning liver cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, and other solid tumors
- Recognized as one of China's top experts in tumor interventional therapy, with surgical volume and outcomes at the national leading level
- Deep specialization in intermediate and advanced liver cancer (HCC) interventional treatment — the patient population where interventional oncology has the greatest impact
What Is Interventional Oncology?
Interventional oncology uses image-guided, minimally invasive techniques to deliver treatment directly to tumors — without open surgery. A small catheter or needle is inserted through the skin or a blood vessel, guided precisely to the tumor using real-time imaging (fluoroscopy, CT, or ultrasound), and used to deliver therapy directly to the cancer. The result is highly targeted treatment with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue and rapid recovery.
Interventional Treatments for Liver Cancer
Dr. Xu's interventional oncology program offers the full spectrum of liver-directed therapies:
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
- The most widely used interventional treatment for HCC worldwide
- A catheter is threaded through the femoral artery to the hepatic artery supplying the tumor
- Chemotherapy (typically doxorubicin or cisplatin) is delivered directly into the tumor's blood supply, followed by embolic agents that cut off blood flow
- The dual effect — high-dose local chemotherapy plus ischemia — causes tumor necrosis while sparing surrounding liver tissue
- Drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE): Advanced technique using microspheres loaded with chemotherapy for more sustained drug release and reduced systemic toxicity
Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE / Y-90)
- Microspheres loaded with radioactive Yttrium-90 are delivered via catheter into the tumor's arterial supply
- The microspheres lodge in the tumor's blood vessels and deliver targeted internal radiation over 2–3 weeksParticularly effective for large or multifocal HCC, and for tumors with portal vein involvement
- Can achieve tumor downstaging to enable subsequent surgery or transplantation
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) and Microwave Ablation (MWA)
- A needle electrode is inserted directly into the tumor under CT or ultrasound guidance
- Radiofrequency or microwave energy heats the tumor to temperatures that cause complete cell death
- Ideal for small HCC tumors (≤3 cm) in patients who are not surgical candidates
- Can achieve complete tumor ablation with outcomes comparable to surgical resection for small tumors
- Combination therapy: TACE followed by RFA/MWA for larger tumors — TACE reduces tumor vascularity and the heat-sink effect, improving ablation completeness
Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy (HAIC)
- Continuous infusion of high-dose chemotherapy (FOLFOX regimen) directly into the hepatic artery via an implanted port
- Achieves much higher intratumoral drug concentrations than systemic chemotherapy with lower systemic toxicity
- Particularly effective for advanced HCC with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) — a situation where most other treatments have limited efficacy
- Increasingly used in combination with systemic targeted therapy (sorafenib, lenvatinib) and immunotherapy (PD-1 inhibitors)
Portal Vein Embolization (PVE)
- Pre-operative procedure to induce hypertrophy of the future liver remnant before major hepatic resection
- Reduces the risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with borderline liver reserve
Bridging and Downstaging to Transplantation
One of the most important roles of interventional oncology in liver cancer management is bridging and downstaging — using locoregional therapy to control tumor growth while a patient awaits liver transplantation, or to shrink tumors that initially exceed transplant criteria to within eligible size limits. Dr. Xu's team works closely with liver transplant surgeons (including at Huashan Hospital) to coordinate these protocols.
Combination with Systemic Therapy
Modern liver cancer treatment increasingly combines interventional locoregional therapy with systemic agents for synergistic effect:
- TACE + sorafenib or lenvatinib: Targeted therapy added to TACE to prevent tumor revascularization and treat micrometastatic disease
- HAIC + PD-1 inhibitors: Immunotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion for advanced HCC with portal vein involvement
- TACE + atezolizumab + bevacizumab: Triple combination for intermediate-advanced HCC
How CMCS Coordinates Your Care
China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) is a health management company — not a hospital. We connect international patients with Shanghai's leading interventional oncologists, including Dr. Xu Aimin at Renji Hospital, and manage every step of the process:
- Review of existing liver imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound), tumor markers (AFP), liver function tests, and prior treatment records
- Interventional treatment eligibility assessment with Dr. Xu's team
- Appointment scheduling with priority access
- Coordination with hepatobiliary surgery, medical oncology, and liver transplant teams for integrated treatment planning
- Medical interpretation during consultations and procedures
- Logistics support: accommodation near Renji Hospital, visa assistance, and local transport
- Post-procedure follow-up and remote monitoring coordination
Get in Touch
If you or a family member has liver cancer and is exploring minimally invasive interventional treatment options in Shanghai, contact our team for a confidential consultation.
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