China's Top Departments: Oncology at Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital
National Clinical Key Specialty · Northwest China's Largest Medical Oncology Center · Precision Medicine Pioneer
If you or a loved one is facing a cancer diagnosis, the Department of Oncology at Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital offers comprehensive, precision-based cancer care. Established in 1964 as the earliest specialized chemotherapy department in Northwest China, the department has grown into one of the region's largest medical oncology centers — designated as a National Clinical Key Specialty (2013).
With 107 beds, ~30,000 annual outpatient visits, and ~11,000 annual inpatients, the department treats the full spectrum of malignancies. The team of 32 clinical physicians (18 with senior titles) and 25 physicians with doctoral degrees delivers standardized yet personalized cancer care, guided by the hospital's motto: "Virtue, Compassion, Precision, Excellence."
The department is a standing member unit of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), the Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and the Precision Medicine & Tumor MDT Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Association. It's also a designated site for master's and doctoral degree programs in Oncology under the Ministry of Education.
At ChinaMed Select, we help international patients connect with XJTU's oncology team for comprehensive cancer treatment. Here's what you need to know.
8 Subspecialties — Comprehensive Cancer Coverage
The department has organized its expertise into 8 subspecialties, each with dedicated Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) teams:
| Subspecialty | Covered Diseases |
|---|---|
| Lung Cancer | Small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer |
| Gastrointestinal Tumors | Gastric, colorectal, esophageal, liver, pancreatic cancers |
| Breast Cancer | Comprehensive treatment of all stages |
| Lymphoma | Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma |
| Genitourinary Tumors | Kidney, bladder, prostate cancers |
| Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma | Osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma |
| Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors | Neuroendocrine neoplasms |
| Malignant Melanoma | All stages |
What this means for you: Whatever type of cancer you're facing, there's a dedicated team of specialists who focus specifically on that cancer type — not generalists who treat everything. This focused expertise translates to better treatment decisions and outcomes.
Treatment Modalities
The department offers the full spectrum of modern cancer treatment:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (before surgery to shrink tumors)
- Conversion chemotherapy (to make inoperable tumors operable)
- Adjuvant chemotherapy (after surgery to prevent recurrence)
- Curative chemotherapy (for curable cancers)
- Targeted therapy (precision drugs targeting specific cancer mutations)
- Immunotherapy (harnessing your immune system to fight cancer)
- Cellular immunotherapy (advanced immune cell treatments)
- Endocrine therapy (for hormone-driven cancers)
- Multi-gene testing (blood/tissue samples) under MDT guidance for precision individualized treatment
Precision Medicine Leadership
The department is at the forefront of precision oncology in China:
- Tumor DNA sequencing and circulating tumor cell (CTC) analysis
- Drug resistance gene testing
- Real-time CTC monitoring
- Dynamic, full-course evaluation of chemotherapy and targeted therapy efficacy
What this means for you: Your treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. The team uses advanced genomic testing to understand your tumor's specific characteristics and select the therapies most likely to work for you — maximizing effectiveness while minimizing unnecessary side effects.
Meet the Experts
Department Leadership
| Name | Role | Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. YAO Yu (姚煜) | Chief of Oncology | Drives continuous innovation in precision cancer treatment. Leads the department's clinical and research programs. |
Highly Skilled Team
The department boasts a team with deep expertise:
- Many physicians have overseas research experience
- Six young doctors have returned after training in the United States
- Visiting professor appointed from MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA)
- 6 doctoral supervisors and 16 master's supervisors
- 46 nurses (including 12 certified oncology nurses)
What this means for you: Your care team includes specialists who've trained at the world's leading cancer centers and bring international best practices to your treatment.
Research Excellence
The department actively integrates research with clinical practice:
- Over 20 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants
- More than 50 research grants at national, provincial, and institutional levels
- Total research funding: nearly 10 million RMB (~$1.4 million)
- Nearly 100 SCI-indexed publications
- Multiple provincial and ministerial-level science and technology awards
- 2 provincial second-class science and technology achievement awards
- 3 Higher Education Science & Technology Progress Awards
- 2 oncology monographs
- Participation in dozens of international and domestic multi-center clinical trials
Key Research Directions
- Drug resistance and reversal — overcoming treatment resistance
- Anti-angiogenesis therapy — cutting off tumors' blood supply
- Targeted gene therapy — precision molecular treatments
- Early molecular diagnosis — detecting cancer at its earliest stages
What this means for you: The department's active research program means you may have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and emerging therapies not yet widely available. If standard treatments haven't worked, enrollment in a clinical trial could open new options.
International Collaboration
The department maintains close academic ties with institutions in Europe and the United States:
- Outstanding physicians and graduate students sent abroad annually for training
- Participation in international MDT exchanges and collaborations
- Visiting professor from MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA)
- Hospital provides an English website (www.en.jdyfy.com) for international patients
What this means for you: The department's international connections ensure that your care reflects global best practices and the latest advances in cancer treatment.
What International Patients Should Know
Language & Support
Xi'an Jiaotong University First Affiliated Hospital is a major academic medical center. English-language consultations can be arranged. For oncology — where precise communication about your diagnosis, treatment options, side effects, and prognosis is critical — we strongly recommend working with a bilingual medical coordinator who understands oncology terminology.
Appointment Process
- Appointments can be made via the hospital's official channels or through a medical coordinator
- For new cancer patients, the typical timeline from initial consultation to treatment start is 1–2 weeks
- The department's 8 subspecialties and MDT teams mean you can see the right specialist quickly
- Complex cases may require multidisciplinary consultation before treatment begins
Cost Estimates
Cancer treatment costs vary enormously based on cancer type, stage, and treatment plan. Here are general ranges:
| Service | Estimated Cost (CNY) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial oncology consultation | ¥300–800 | $42–110 |
| Comprehensive cancer workup (imaging, labs, biopsy) | ¥10,000–30,000 | $1,400–4,200 |
| Chemotherapy (per cycle) | ¥5,000–30,000 | $700–4,200 |
| Targeted therapy (per month) | ¥10,000–50,000 | $1,400–7,000 |
| Immunotherapy (per cycle) | ¥15,000–60,000 | $2,100–8,400 |
| Multi-gene testing | ¥5,000–20,000 | $700–2,800 |
| Inpatient admission (per day) | ¥1,000–3,000 | $140–420 |
These are estimates. Actual costs depend on your cancer type, stage, treatment plan, and length of treatment. International patients should budget for multiple cycles/visits over several months.
Getting There
- Address: No. 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Ward 1 (Medical Oncology): +86-29-85324600
- Ward 2 (Medical Oncology): +86-29-85324036
- Hospital Website: www.en.jdyfy.com (English)
Xi'an is a major city in northwest China with international airport connections. Most international patients fly into Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY).
How ChinaMed Select Can Help
A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming — especially in a foreign healthcare system. ChinaMed Select ensures you're fully supported:
- Expert Subspecialty Matching: The department has 8 distinct subspecialties. We match you with the one that handles your exact cancer type — so you see the specialist who treats your cancer every day
- Medical Record Preparation: Oncology consultations require detailed pathology reports, imaging (CT, MRI, PET), genetic test results, and prior treatment records. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your case efficiently
- MDT Coordination: For complex cases, we help coordinate multidisciplinary consultations involving surgeons, radiation oncologists, and other specialists
- Clinical Trial Screening: If standard treatments haven't worked, we can help identify relevant clinical trials at the department
- Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly with the department
- Certified Medical Translation: Oncology involves complex discussions about staging, treatment options, side effects, and prognosis. Our translators ensure you understand every detail
- End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup in Xi'an to accommodation near the hospital, interpreter presence at every appointment, and coordination of multi-cycle treatment visits, we handle logistics so you can focus on healing
Plan Your Visit
- Appointments: Hospital official channels or through ChinaMed Select
- Address: No. 277 Yanta West Road, Yanta District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
- Ward 1: +86-29-85324600
- Ward 2: +86-29-85324036
- English Website: www.en.jdyfy.com
Facing a cancer diagnosis? Contact ChinaMed Select for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your diagnosis and pathology, connect you with the right oncology subspecialty team at XJTU First Affiliated Hospital, and coordinate your entire treatment journey — from medical record translation to multi-cycle treatment support.
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