Thyroid cancer begins in the cells of the thyroid gland, a butterfly shaped organ in the front of the neck that controls your metabolism. Most thyroid cancers grow very slowly and are highly curable, especially when detected early. Even advanced cases can often be controlled for many years.
Globally, over 580,000 new cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed each year, with a rapid rise in incidence due to improved ultrasound detection. The vast majority are papillary or follicular carcinomas, which have an excellent prognosis.
China reports approximately 220,000 new cases annually — the highest number of any country, accounting for nearly 40% of the global burden. At Fosun Health, this extraordinary case volume has given our expert teams a depth of experience that ensures precision in every aspect of care — from ultrasound diagnosis and fine needle aspiration to minimally invasive surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted therapy. As our guiding clinical philosophy states: “The more cases we see, the more precisely we treat.”
Every thyroid cancer program has surgery, radioactive iodine, and thyroid hormone. Here is what makes ours different:
"I am a young woman. If you cut my neck, I will have a visible scar for life. And if my voice changes, how will I teach, sing, or even talk on the phone?"
The challenge: Conventional thyroidectomy leaves a horizontal neck scar—visible in every mirror, every photograph, every social interaction. Worse, the recurrent laryngeal nerve runs millimeters behind the thyroid; damage causes permanent hoarseness, breathy voice, or even difficulty breathing. For patients who use their voice professionally, this is devastating.
Our answer: Remote-access endoscopic and robotic thyroid surgery that removes the cancer without touching the front of your neck—through one of several hidden approaches tailored to your anatomy and tumor size:
- Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy (TOETVA): Three tiny incisions inside the lower lip and oral vestibule—completely hidden, zero external neck scar. Ideal for selected small-to-moderate tumors.
- Transaxillary Approach: Incisions concealed in the axillary fold—the robot navigates down to the thyroid through subcutaneous planes, leaving the neck pristine.
- Substernal (Chest/Breast) Approach: Incisions placed in the infra-clavicular chest or breast region—nowhere near the neck, invisible in daily life.
- Submental Vestibular Approach: A tiny incision in the submental/jaw vestibular area beneath the jawline—invisible from the front, hidden under the chin shadow.
- Robotic Precision with IONM: Whichever remote access is chosen, the Da Vinci robot’s 10× magnified 3D vision and tremor-free wristed instruments dissect the thyroid with sub-millimeter precision, while intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) provides real-time electromyographic feedback—identifying, tracing, and protecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve throughout.Temporary and permanent voice palsy rates are dramatically reduced.
What this means for you: You can have your thyroid tumor removed with zero visible neck scar and near-zero voice risk. The evidence of your surgery is invisible. Your voice is indistinguishable from before.
"My thyroid cancer spread to the neck lymph nodes. Do I need another big neck dissection with another long scar? What if it comes back again?"
The challenge: Papillary thyroid cancer frequently spreads to cervical lymph nodes—sometimes discovered at first surgery, sometimes appearing years later. Conventional lateral neck dissection requires a long incision from ear to clavicle, with significant risk to the spinal accessory nerve (shoulder dysfunction), marginal mandibular nerve (asymmetric smile), and recurrent laryngeal nerve. Many patients face multiple surgeries over a lifetime, each adding scar tissue and risk.
Our answer: Precision lymph node management that treats the disease without adding scars or suffering:
- Robotic Selective Neck Dissection: For central or lateral neck metastases, the robot performs compartment-based, level-specific dissection through the same remote-access incision—no additional neck scar. The 3D magnified view protects the spinal accessory, marginal mandibular, and recurrent laryngeal nerves with precision impossible in open surgery.
- Image-Guided Ablation for Recurrent Nodes: For small, isolated recurrent papillary carcinoma in a neck lymph node detected years after initial surgery, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation (MWA) destroys the metastatic node through a needle puncture under ultrasound guidance—no incision, no scar, no hospital stay. The node dies; the nerve is untouched.
- Minimally Invasive Compartment Reoperation: For large or deeply situated recurrences requiring excision, we utilize endoscopic or robotic reoperation through small, strategically placed incisions—minimizing dissection through previously scarred tissue and reducing nerve injury risk.
What this means for you: Node metastasis or recurrence does not automatically mean another long neck scar. We can dissect precisely, ablate through a needle, or reoperate minimally—protecting your appearance and your nerves at every step.
"I had surgery and radioactive iodine. My doctors say the cancer is now 'iodine-refractory' because my thyroglobulin is still rising. Is this the beginning of the end?"
The challenge: Most differentiated thyroid cancers are cured by surgery plus radioactive iodine-131. But in 10–15% of cases, the tumor loses its iodine-avidity—stops "drinking" the radioactive iodine—and begins to grow despite normal I-131 scans. Patients are told "we have nothing else that works." Historically, this meant watching the disease progress until it became symptomatic.
Our answer: Molecularly matched targeted therapy that attacks the cancer even when it no longer takes up iodine:
- Multi-Kinase Inhibitors: Lenvatinib and sorafenib are approved in China for iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. These oral agents block VEGFR-driven angiogenesis—"starving" the tumor. Progression-free survival more than triples compared to placebo in clinical trials.
- BRAF-Targeted Therapy: For BRAF V600E-mutated iodine-refractory disease, dabrafenib + trametinib combination offers a precision alternative with high response rates.
- NGS-Directed Sequencing: We profile every iodine-refractory tumor for BRAF, RAS, RET/PTC, and NTRK fusions—matching the driver mutation to the right drug. No guesswork. No one-size-fits-all.
- Tumor Hyperthermia as Radiosensitizer: For painful bone metastases from iodine-refractory disease, regional hyperthermia to 40–43°C combined with external-beam radiotherapy amplifies local control—relieving pain and preventing fracture when I-131 is no longer an option.
- Cost Advantage: Because these targeted agents are developed and manufactured within China's ecosystem, comprehensive treatment costs are 30%–50% of what you would pay in Europe or the US—with zero compromise in quality.
What this means for you: Losing iodine-avidity is a turning point, not a terminal event. Your BRAF, RAS, or RET profile opens a direct path to oral targeted drugs that are available here, now—at a cost that makes long-term disease control sustainable.
"They told me it is anaplastic thyroid cancer. Or medullary carcinoma. The worst types. Aggressive. Resistant to iodine. Is there truly any hope?"
The challenge: Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is among the most lethal solid tumors—historically median survival measured in months. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) often presents with metastases and no effective radioactive iodine option. Patients are frequently told to "get affairs in order."
Our answer: Aggressive, multi-modal protocols that convert hopelessness into treatment:
- For Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT/VMAT) with concurrent chemotherapy (paclitaxel/doxorubicin) plus PD-1 immunotherapy in selected patients. Though cure rates remain low, durable local control and meaningful survival extension are achievable in a subset of patients who respond. Our high-volume head-and-neck team has managed more rare ATC cases than most centers see in a decade.
- For Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Germline and somatic RET mutation testing is mandatory. For RET-mutated MTC, selpercatinib and pralsetinib are approved in China and deliver objective response rates exceeding 50–70%—shrinking tumors and controlling calcitonin-driven diarrhea. For RET-negative or refractory cases, vandetanib and cabozantinib provide VEGFR/RET multi-targeted control.
- NGS for "Actionable" Mutations: We analyze every ATC and MTC for BRAF, RAS, ALK, NTRK, and MSI/dMMR—opening doors to targeted agents and immunotherapy that are rarely considered in these "untreatable" subtypes.
- Palliative Precision: For locally advanced disease causing airway compression or bleeding, superselective arterial embolizationand endoscopic airway stenting provide immediate relief—buying time for systemic therapy to work.
What this means for you: A diagnosis of anaplastic or medullary thyroid cancer is devastating, but it is not a directive to give up. We have radiation, targeted, and immunotherapy protocols that can extend survival and control symptoms—even in these most aggressive forms.
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 (RET, BRAF, NTRK, ALK). Every enrollment is ethics-approved with full medical supervision.
Our TCM program runs alongside your primary treatment as a "hormonal balance and neck function optimizer":
Toxicity Reduction: Herbal formulations help manage post-thyroidectomy calcium fluctuations, alleviate TKInhibitor-induced hypertension and hand-foot syndrome, and support mood and sleep during TSH suppression.
Efficacy Enhancement: Selected preparations may improve tolerance to targeted therapy and support immune reconstitution.
Acupuncture provides additional support for postoperative neck stiffness, voice fatigue, and treatment-related anxiety. The goal: smooth your surgical recovery, stabilize your thyroid hormone balance, and keep you strong through every phase of treatment.
Every thyroid cancer case is reviewed by a panel comprising endocrine surgery, head-and-neck surgery, nuclear medicine (for I-131 therapy), medical oncology (for targeted therapy), radiology, pathology, and endocrinology (for lifelong hormone management). Thyroid cancer decisions are uniquely complex: remote-access cosmetic approach selection; extent of thyroidectomy and neck dissection; radioactive iodine dosing and timing; TSH suppression target setting; and sequencing of targeted agents through lines of iodine resistance.
The MDT convenes within 48 hours of complete documentation. Your plan is a consensus decision optimized for your cancer subtype, stage, molecular profile, cosmetic priorities, and your life goals.
Diagnosis:
Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Treatment Plan:
Transaxillary Da Vinci robot-assisted total thyroidectomy with central neck lymph node dissection, followed by radioactive iodine ablation and long-term thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) suppression therapy.
This minimally invasive approach achieved complete oncologic treatment while avoiding visible cervical scarring and minimizing the risk of voice impairment.
Outcome:
The operation proceeded uneventfully, with successful identification and preservation of both recurrent laryngeal nerves.
Transient postoperative hoarseness occurred but resolved completely within two weeks.
At one-year follow-up, neck ultrasonography demonstrated no residual thyroid tissue or suspicious lymph nodes. TSH remained adequately suppressed. The patient returned to full-time employment approximately six weeks after surgery and resumed normal work, exercise, and daily activities.
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 medical documentation (thyroid ultrasound images, FNA pathology report, blood tests, CT/MRI scans). The Fosun Health Thyroid Cancer MDT Panel will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and deliver a personalized preliminary treatment plan within 48 hours.
