Esophageal cancer starts in the food pipe that connects your throat to your stomach. Early signs are often mild, but with timely treatment, most patients can live long-term or even be cured.
In 2025, over 600,000 new cases are expected worldwide. Because early symptoms are hard to notice, many patients are diagnosed late. Still, acting quickly offers the best chance for a cure — so seeing a doctor as soon as possible is the most important step.
China accounts for nearly half of the world's esophageal cancer cases—approximately 280,000 new patients each year. At Fosun Health, this extraordinary case volume has built unmatched expertise in what matters most to patients: preserving the esophagus and the ability to swallow and speak normally after treatment. Our teams perform thousands of radical esophagectomies, minimally invasive robotic surgeries, endoscopic resections, and complex multimodal therapies annually. "The more we treat, the more precisely we protect your esophagus—and your life."
Every esophageal cancer program has surgery, drugs, and radiation. Here is what makes ours different:
"Can you remove the cancer while keeping my ability to swallow—and protecting my voice from going hoarse?"
The challenge: The esophagus lies in the narrow mediastinum, millimeters from the recurrent laryngeal nerves that control your voice and swallowing. Traditional open surgery (thoracotomy + laparotomy + neck incision) risks permanent nerve damage—leaving you with a hoarse whisper and chronic aspiration. For cervical or upper thoracic tumors, some patients are told "we must sacrifice the larynx." Even after successful surgery, anastomotic stricturecan make swallowing painful or impossible.
Our answer: We do not accept "hoarseness as inevitable collateral damage."
- Robotic McKeown or Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy: The Da Vinci robot provides 10× magnified 3D vision and tremor-free 540° wristed instruments navigating the mediastinum. We perform radical two-field or three-field lymphadenectomy while meticulously tracing and preserving the recurrent laryngeal nerves on both sides. For cervical esophageal tumors, we preserve the larynx whenever oncologically feasible.
- Endoscopic Resection (ESD/EMR): For early-stage (T1a) tumors confined to mucosa or superficial submucosa, we remove the lesion entirely through the endoscope—no chest or abdominal incision, no disruption to swallowing mechanics, no risk to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
- Anastomotic Technique: We utilize mechanical stapled anastomosis with ischemic preconditioning and tension-free positioning to minimize the risk of postoperative stricture—so you swallow smoothly after recovery.
What this means for you: "Radical" does not have to mean "silent." Wherever possible, we remove the cancer while keeping your voice clear and your swallowing channel open.
"I cannot swallow my own saliva. The tumor is blocking my esophagus. I am starving and choking. What can you do right now?"
The challenge: Advanced esophageal cancer causes malignant obstruction—patients cannot swallow food, water, or even saliva. Malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia follow rapidly. Some tumors invade the trachea, causing tracheoesophageal fistula—food and liquid spill directly into the lungs. These are emergencies, and patients are often too frail for major surgery.
Our answer: A minimally invasive emergency platform that reopens your life-sustaining channels immediately:
- Self-Expanding Metal Stent (SEMS): Deployed endoscopically or under fluoroscopy within minutes, reopening the blocked esophagus and restoring the ability to swallow food and drink. For tracheoesophageal fistula, we place dual stents (esophageal + tracheal/bronchial) to seal the leak and protect the airway.
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG): If the esophagus cannot be safely opened immediately, we create a feeding channel directly into the stomach—bypassing the obstruction entirely—so you receive nutrition while we shrink the tumor.
- Superselective Arterial Infusion: For locally advanced tumors causing obstruction or bleeding, microcatheter-delivered chemotherapy (via bronchial arteries, esophageal arteries, or intercostal feeders) achieves 50–100× local drug concentrationcompared to IV therapy—shrinking the tumor rapidly to restore patency or stop hemorrhage.
- Nutritional Rehabilitation: Our clinical nutrition team initiates immunonutrition support (arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, nucleotides) immediately—reversing cancer cachexia and building the physical reserve needed for subsequent definitive therapy.
What this means for you: When the esophagus is blocked and you are starving, our interventional team can reopen your swallowing channel or create an alternative nutrition route—often in the same emergency session—giving you the strength to proceed with curative treatment.
"I already had esophageal surgery. Now the cancer is back at the connection, or in lymph nodes near my windpipe. I cannot survive another thoracotomy. Is there another way?"
The challenge: Postoperative recurrence at the anastomosis, gastric conduit, mediastinal lymph nodes, or supraclavicular fossa is devastating. The mediastinum is scarred and distorted from prior surgery. Repeat thoracotomy carries extreme morbidity, and many patients are medically unfit. Meanwhile, recurrent tumors near the trachea or spinal cord are considered "unresectable" by conventional standards.
Our answer: CyberKnife M6 delivers 0.1mm sub-millimeter stereotactic radiosurgery with real-time respiratory tracking. It converges radiation from thousands of angles—precisely ablating:
- Postoperative anastomotic or gastric conduit recurrences
- Mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph node relapses
- Tracheoesophageal groove recurrences near the recurrent laryngeal nerve
- Liver, lung, or bone oligometastases
Because it is completely non-invasive, there is no surgical trauma, no repeat thoracotomy, no disruption to the reconstructed digestive tract, and no interruption to your ongoing systemic therapy. The beam maximally spares the trachea, spinal cord, heart, and remaining healthy esophagus.
- Local recurrence: 1–5 outpatient sessions deliver ablative, curative-intent radiation.
- Oligometastases: Distant spots eliminated without a single incision.
What this means for you: A scan showing recurrence after esophagectomy does not mean you must face the operating room again. CyberKnife eliminates isolated recurrence sites while your reconstructed digestive system continues to function.
"I have esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. What is the best systemic therapy? And when resistance hits, what comes next?"
The challenge: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)—the predominant subtype in China—has historically been difficult to treat with conventional chemotherapy alone. When first-line platinum-fluoropyrimidine regimens fail, patients in many regions face a rapid decline with limited options.
Our answer: China has emerged as the global leader in ESCC immunotherapy. Our protocols are often years ahead:
- First-line standard: PD-1 inhibitors (camrelizumab, sintilimab, toripalimab, serplulimab) combined with chemotherapy have demonstrated unprecedented survival benefits over chemotherapy alone and are approved as standard first-line care in China—endorsed by CSCO and increasingly recognized globally.
- Neoadjuvant / definitive setting: Immunotherapy combined with chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced ESCC achieves higher pathological complete response rates—offering more patients a true chance at esophageal preservation or organ-sparing surgery.
- HER2-positive esophageal adenocarcinoma: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) for previously treated disease; next-generation anti-HER2 ADCs and bispecific antibodies.
- EGFR-overexpressing ESCC: EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibodies (nimotuzumab) combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy improve local control.
- When resistance develops: Our Phase III clinical trial fast-track provides access to next-generation agents (dual immune checkpoint combinations, novel ADCs, TIGIT inhibitors) 3–5 years ahead of availability elsewhere.
Because these therapies are developed and manufactured within China's integrated ecosystem, comprehensive treatment costs are 30%–50% of what you would pay in Europe or the US.
Guided by NGS profiling and physicians who have sequenced thousands of ESCC cases through multiple lines.
What this means for you: If you have ESCC, you are in the region where the most effective first-line immunotherapy combinations were pioneered. Your tumor's PD-L1, HER2, or EGFR status maps directly to drugs that are available here, now, at sustainable cost.
When standard therapies reach their limit, we provide rapid access to China's full portfolio of Phase III clinical trials—therapies typically 3–5 years ahead of availability elsewhere. NGS-based molecular matching identifies trials targeting your specific mutation. Every enrollment is ethics-approved with full medical supervision.
Our TCM program runs alongside your primary treatment as an "esophageal function guardian":
Toxicity Reduction: Herbal formulations protect esophageal mucosa, soothe radiation-induced esophagitis, ease chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, relieve cancer-related fatigue, and prevent postoperative anastomotic stricture.
Efficacy Enhancement: Selected preparations may improve tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Acupuncture provides additional support for post-esophagectomy dysphagia, reflux, nausea, and fatigue. The goal: protect your swallowing function, reduce treatment burden, and keep you strong enough to complete every planned cycle—on schedule.
Every esophageal cancer case is reviewed by a panel comprising thoracic surgery, gastroenterology/endoscopy, interventional radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, and pathology specialists. Esophageal cancer decisions are uniquely complex: endoscopic resection versus minimally invasive esophagectomy versus definitive chemoradiotherapy; McKeown versus Ivor Lewis approach; larynx preservation feasibility; neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy versus upfront surgery; and management of postoperative complications.
The MDT convenes within 48 hours of complete documentation. Your plan is a consensus decision optimized for your tumor location, stage, molecular profile, nutritional status, and your priorities.
Diagnosis:
Stage III Adenocarcinoma of the Distal Esophagus
Treatment Plan:
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system. The treatment effectively suppressed tumor activity. Given the patient's favorable potential to benefit from immunotherapy, an immunotherapeutic agent available in China was administered during treatment to improve the pathological complete response rate and reduce the risk of long-term recurrence.
Outcome:
Postoperative pathology demonstrated a favorable response. The patient was discharged 12 days after surgery and continued regular follow-up. The feeding tube was removed 7 weeks later, with stable weight recovery. No evidence of recurrence was observed during the subsequent 2 years, and the patient successfully resumed normal work and daily life.
Led by Dr. Yang Jun, Prof. Luo Pengfei, and Prof. Chen Tao, the Fosun Oncology Center brings together more than 20 world-class medical experts, each with over a decade of extensive oncology experience. Supported by a comprehensive range of advanced therapies — including robotic surgery, precision radiotherapy, minimally invasive intervention, CAR-T cell therapy, and Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) — the center delivers one-stop, integrated cancer care designed to make treatment more accessible, efficient, and high-quality for every patient.
Key Highlights
- Over 60,000 annual oncology patient admissions across Fosun’s major international hospitals in 2025
More than 17,000 cumulative TACE procedures completed between 2023 and 2025 at Fosun Hospital Guangzhou alone, with international patients accounting for over 10% of total cases
- More than 1,000 successful CyberKnife treatments performed, demonstrating world-class expertise in precision radiotherapy
- A 29.3% five-year survival rate achieved for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) through combined TTFields therapy, representing a significant improvement over the 4.7% baseline
Core Services
- Robotic surgery
- Precision radiotherapy
- Minimally invasive intervention
- CAR-T cell therapy
- Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)
- Medical oncology
- PET/CT imaging
- Pulmonary nodule diagnosis
- VIP inpatient wards
- Integrated oncology clinics
- Traditional Chinese medicine for oncology
- Cancer screening and early detection
- Genetic testing and counseling
Founded in 1992, Fosun has grown over the past three decades into a global innovation-driven consumer group. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As one of the few Chinese enterprises with strong global operational and investment capabilities, Fosun has developed substantial technological expertise and innovation capacity across multiple industries.
Established in 2010, Shanghai Fosun Health Technology is dedicated to building a world-renowned healthcare group in Asia. Today, the group operates 19 affiliated medical institutions across Foshan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shanghai, and other major cities, with a total of 6,600 hospital beds and 9 Internet Hospital licenses. Fosun Health ranks No. 1 among China’s private comprehensive medical groups. Its flagship institution, Fosun Foshan Chancheng Hospital, has ranked first among private hospitals in China for eight consecutive years and was honored with the 2026 Global Health Asia-Pacific “Oncological Medical Service Provider of the Year” award.
As the flagship hospital of Fosun Health, Fosun Foshan Chancheng Hospital was founded in 1958. The hospital currently hosts 28 key specialty development programs, including 2 provincial-level, 13 municipal-level, and 13 district-level key specialties. Its services span 22 medical disciplines, including spinal orthopedics, traditional Chinese medicine gynecology, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiovascular medicine, clinical laboratory medicine, anesthesiology, pediatrics, critical care medicine, ultrasound medicine, rehabilitation medicine, general practice, general surgery, and urology.
The hospital is equipped with globally advanced medical technologies, including the CyberKnife system and the Da Vinci Surgical Robot. It has 1,750 approved hospital beds and a multidisciplinary team of more than 2,800 medical professionals. The hospital records nearly 3.19 million outpatient visits annually and more than 67,000 inpatient discharges each year.
Fosun Foshan Chancheng Hospital has received numerous prestigious recognitions, including:
Global Health Asia-Pacific “Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of the Year”
Global Health China “Hospital of the Year”
No. 1 ranking on the GAHA Top 500 Private Hospitals in China list for eight consecutive years
The hospital has also been recognized as:
A National Model Unit for Improved Medical Services
A National Drug Clinical Trial Institution (GCP)
A National Standardized Residency Training Base
Established in 2003, Guangzhou Fosun Chancheng Hospital specializes in cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and neurosciences. The hospital has established a National Chest Pain Center, Stroke Center, Trauma Center, and MDT Center, supporting the development of emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, intensive care, anesthesiology, gastroenterology, general surgery, urology, and general practice.
The hospital operates more than 800 inpatient beds and 48 clinical and medical technology departments, supported by a team of over 880 healthcare professionals.
Guangzhou Fosun Chancheng Hospital has received several honors and industry recognitions, including:
EMBA Innovation Practice Base
Guangdong Private Medical Reform & Innovation Brand
Guangdong Private Medical Industry Pioneer Brand
Outstanding Brand Hospital for Medical Investment Contribution
Upload your complete medical documentation: esophagoscopy reports with pathology, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) images, contrast-enhanced CT scans of chest-abdomen-pelvis, PET-CT reports, and NGS/genetic sequencing results (HER2, EGFR, MSI/dMMR). The Fosun Health Esophageal Cancer MDT Panel will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and deliver a personalized preliminary treatment plan—including esophageal preservation feasibility, endoscopic resection candidacy, and neoadjuvant downstaging strategy—within 48 hours.
