Surgical OncologyRobotic SurgeryPublic · West China BranchLecheng ZoneGlobal Surgical Volume
West China Lecheng Hospital World-Renowned Surgical Expertise in Hainan’s Early-Access Zone
West China Lecheng Hospital brings the surgical oncology capabilities of West China Hospital (Huaxi) — one of the world's highest-volume surgical centres — to the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan. For complex cancer surgery, particularly GI, hepatobiliary, thoracic, and gynaecological oncology, it offers surgical expertise rarely accessible outside of mainland China's top academic hospitals, combined with the Lecheng zone's early-access drug policy and Hainan's visa-free entry for 59+ countries.
Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, Qionghai, Hainan — ~25 min from Boao Airport
Quick Facts
Payment
RMB — paid directly to hospital; Lecheng pricing
Consultation
In-person · proxy consultation via China Care
Advance booking
1–2 weeks minimum
Drug access
Overseas-approved medicines · 2–3 yr pre-NMPA
Visa policy
Visa-free entry for 59+ countries into Hainan
Top-3
West China Hospital ranking nationally
2–3yr
Pre-NMPA overseas drug access
Global
Surgical volume in oncology
About the Hospital
Huaxi Surgical Expertise, Now in Hainan
West China Hospital (Huaxi) in Chengdu, Sichuan is one of China's most internationally recognised hospitals, known particularly for its extraordinary surgical volume and the depth of its oncology surgery programmes. With a surgical caseload that is among the highest in the world, Huaxi surgeons develop a level of technical experience in complex procedures that is difficult to match. The hospital consistently ranks in China's top three.
West China Lecheng Hospital is the Hainan branch within the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, bringing Huaxi's surgical expertise to a location that benefits from the zone's drug access policy. Under this policy, overseas-approved drugs and medical devices can be used at the hospital 2–3 years before their NMPA approval in mainland China — providing access to post-surgical systemic oncology treatments that may not yet be available at the main Huaxi campus or elsewhere in China.
Lecheng Zone Policy: Overseas-approved drugs & devices usable 2–3 years before NMPA mainland approval
Hainan island also allows visa-free entry for nationals of 59+ countries, making West China Lecheng far more accessible to international patients than the main Huaxi campus in Chengdu. For patients seeking cancer treatment in China where the primary need is complex surgical oncology — particularly GI, hepatobiliary, thoracic, or gynaecological cancer surgery — West China Lecheng Hospital represents a compelling combination of world-class surgical expertise and practical access.
"For patients who need complex oncology surgery performed by surgeons with extraordinary volume and technical depth, and who want the option of post-surgical access to newer systemic treatments not yet available elsewhere in China, West China Lecheng Hospital is a distinctive option."
Why Patients Choose West China Lecheng Hospital
Three reasons international patients choose West China Lecheng
World-Renowned Surgical Expertise
West China Hospital (Huaxi) in Chengdu performs one of the highest surgical volumes in the world. In oncology surgery — where technical proficiency correlates directly with outcomes for complex cases — this volume produces surgeons with exceptional experience in technically demanding procedures including extended hepatic resections, pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), multi-visceral resections, and thoracoscopic (VATS) lung resections. The Lecheng branch operates under the same surgical protocols and specialist oversight.
Complex Oncology Surgery
West China Lecheng is particularly well suited for patients with technically challenging primary tumours or oligometastatic disease where curative-intent surgery is still possible. Cases that may be considered inoperable elsewhere — due to vascular involvement, anatomical complexity, or tumour size — can be assessed by Huaxi surgeons whose experience with high-risk cases exceeds most other institutions. China Care facilitates case submission and proxy consultation to obtain a realistic surgical assessment before you travel.
Lecheng Drug Access + Surgical Excellence
For surgical oncology patients, the post-surgical systemic treatment is often as important as the operation itself. The Lecheng zone's drug access policy means that adjuvant, maintenance, or palliative systemic therapies approved internationally but not yet NMPA-listed can be administered at West China Lecheng Hospital — combining Huaxi's surgical capability with access to newer drugs for the complete oncology treatment journey. This combination is not available at the main Huaxi campus in Chengdu.
Clinical Departments
Specialties Available at West China Lecheng Hospital
West China Lecheng's strengths reflect the parent hospital's focus on complex surgical oncology, now combined with the Lecheng zone's post-surgical drug access policy.
Primary Focus
GI Cancer Surgery
Complex resection for gastric, colorectal, rectal, oesophageal, and small bowel cancers. Laparoscopic and open approaches. Extended resections for locally advanced tumours. Anterior resection with colostomy avoidance where feasible. Experienced in rectal cancers with circumferential margin involvement requiring extended TME.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection, colorectal liver metastasis surgery, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer (Whipple procedure / distal pancreatectomy), and biliary tract surgery. Huaxi is nationally renowned for hepatobiliary surgery volume and experience with high-risk anatomical cases.
HCC ResectionWhipple ProcedureBile Duct Cancer
Also Available
Thoracic Oncology Surgery
Surgical treatment for lung cancer, thymic tumours, and pleural malignancies. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy, sleeve resection, and pneumonectomy for appropriate-stage disease. Complex resections for centrally located tumours with vascular or bronchial involvement.
VATS LobectomySleeve ResectionThymic Tumour
Also Available
Gynaecological Cancer Surgery
Surgical oncology for ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. Radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection, cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer, and fertility-sparing approaches for early-stage disease where appropriate. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted approaches available.
Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery for suitable procedures in urology, gynaecology, thoracics, and GI oncology. Robotic approaches offer greater precision and dexterity for anatomically challenging dissections. Available for qualifying patients across oncology surgery specialties at the Lecheng hospital.
Da VinciGI RoboticGynaecological
Access via China Care
Complex case — told it may not be operable?
China Care submits your case to Huaxi surgeons at West China Lecheng for a realistic surgical assessment via proxy consultation before you travel.
How to Access Treatment at West China Lecheng Hospital
China Care manages the full referral process, including proxy consultation to obtain a surgical assessment before you commit to travel.
Step 1
Submit Your Surgical Case to China Care
Share your diagnosis, staging imaging (CT/MRI/PET-CT), pathology report, and any prior treatment records. For surgical oncology cases, include the operative reports from any previous surgery. China Care prepares a bilingual case summary for the relevant Huaxi surgical department within 1–2 working days.
records review · 1–2 days
Step 2
China Care Conducts a Proxy Consultation on Your Behalf
China Care attends West China Lecheng Hospital in person and consults with the surgical specialist on your behalf, before you travel. The surgeon reviews your case summary and imaging and provides an assessment of operability, surgical approach, and recommended treatment plan. This is particularly important for complex or borderline cases where you need a realistic expert opinion before committing to international travel. China Care reports the outcome back to you.
Already in Hainan? Skip this step — China Care can arrange direct escort and interpretation for your own visit instead.
International patients from over 59 nationalities can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days. This avoids the formal medical visa required for the main Huaxi campus in Chengdu. China Care advises on entry requirements based on your nationality. Fly into Boao Airport (~25 min) or Haikou Meilan International Airport (~90 min).
visa-free 59+ nationalities · 30-day entry
Step 4
In-Person Consultation, Preoperative Assessment & Surgery
Your in-person consultation with the surgical team confirms the operative plan and schedules your surgery date. Preoperative investigations including blood work, ECG, and anaesthesia assessment are completed. Surgery is performed under the direct care of the Huaxi-trained surgical team. All treatment fees are paid directly to the hospital in RMB. A deposit is required on admission.
in-person consultation · surgery · RMB direct to hospital
Step 5
Postoperative Care, Discharge & Follow-Up
Post-surgical recovery includes monitoring for surgical complications, wound care, and nutritional support as needed. Adjuvant systemic therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or newer agents under the Lecheng zone policy) can be initiated at the same hospital during the recovery period. Full bilingual operative notes, pathology, and discharge summary are provided. China Care arranges post-discharge coordination for ongoing systemic therapy or follow-up imaging.
Huaxi surgical expertiseLecheng zone early-access medicinesVisa-free entry 59+ countriesProxy consultation (fixed fee)Da Vinci robotic surgeryRMB payment direct to hospitalBilingual coordinationBilingual operative notes & discharge
Before You Travel
What international patients need to know
Payment
RMB — directly to hospital
Lecheng zone pricing. Deposit required on admission. China Care does not collect medical payments. Treatment costs quoted directly by the hospital.
Entry visa
Visa-free for 59+ nationalities
Hainan island visa-free policy, up to 30 days. Much simpler than the medical visa required for mainland Chinese hospitals including the main Huaxi campus.
Advance booking
1–2 weeks minimum
Walk-in not available for international patients. All appointments arranged through China Care before travel. Surgical scheduling requires further lead time.
From airport
~25 min from Boao Airport
Also accessible from Haikou Meilan International Airport (~90 min). Resort and serviced accommodation available near the Lecheng zone.
Language
Mandarin + bilingual coordination
Clinical staff operate in Mandarin. China Care provides bilingual coordination and on-ground support throughout your surgical stay.
Lecheng zone policy
Overseas drugs — 2–3 yr pre-NMPA
China Care confirms availability of specific post-surgical systemic treatments under the zone policy at the proxy consultation stage.
Common Questions
What patients ask about West China Lecheng Hospital
How does West China Lecheng compare to the main West China Hospital in Chengdu?
West China Lecheng Hospital operates as a branch under Huaxi's institutional oversight, with clinical protocols, surgical teams, and specialist involvement aligned with the parent hospital. The main Huaxi campus in Chengdu has greater overall volume and more subspecialty depth across all departments. However, West China Lecheng offers two important advantages over the main campus: first, the Lecheng zone's drug access policy allowing overseas-approved drugs and devices 2–3 years before NMPA mainland approval; and second, Hainan's visa-free entry for nationals of 59+ countries, which eliminates the medical visa requirement for the Chengdu campus.
What types of complex oncology surgery can West China Lecheng handle?
West China Lecheng's surgical strengths include: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal liver metastasis resections; complex pancreatic cancer surgery including Whipple procedure and distal pancreatectomy; locally advanced gastric and colorectal cancer surgery including multi-visceral resections; VATS lobectomy and sleeve resection for lung cancer; cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer; and Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery for suitable procedures. For cases that have been assessed as borderline operable elsewhere, the proxy consultation service allows a Huaxi surgeon to provide an independent assessment before you commit to travel.
Do I need a medical visa to access West China Lecheng Hospital?
No. Hainan island has a visa-free policy for nationals of over 59 countries, for stays of up to 30 days. This is a significant practical advantage compared to the main Huaxi campus in Chengdu, which requires international patients to obtain a formal medical visa before travel. China Care advises you on the applicable entry rules for your specific nationality when your case is submitted.
What is the Lecheng zone policy and how does it help surgical patients?
The Boao Lecheng zone policy allows hospitals in the zone to administer drugs and devices approved by the US FDA, EMA, or Japan's PMDA that have not yet received NMPA approval in mainland China. For surgical patients, the most relevant benefit is access to newer adjuvant, maintenance, or palliative systemic therapies post-surgery. For example, a newer targeted therapy approved in the US for adjuvant treatment after liver cancer resection, but not yet NMPA-approved, could be initiated at West China Lecheng as part of the post-surgical treatment plan. China Care confirms specific drug availability at the proxy consultation stage.
How long does a typical surgical stay at West China Lecheng take?
Total duration depends on the surgical complexity and recovery. For major abdominal surgery (hepatic resection, Whipple procedure, rectal cancer), inpatient stays of 7–14 days are common; for VATS lobectomy, 5–8 days; for laparoscopic colorectal procedures, 5–7 days. Allow additional days for preoperative assessment on arrival (1–2 days) and post-discharge observation if initiating adjuvant treatment. China Care provides a realistic time estimate based on your specific planned procedure at the proxy consultation stage.
What does surgery at West China Lecheng Hospital cost?
Treatment costs are quoted directly by West China Lecheng Hospital and paid in RMB directly to the hospital. Lecheng zone pricing applies, which may differ from the main Huaxi campus. For cases involving post-surgical early-access drugs under the zone policy, the cost of those agents is quoted separately. China Care provides a full cost estimate before you confirm travel. We never add to or mark up the hospital's quoted treatment cost.
Get Started
Ready to access West China Lecheng Hospital through China Care?
Submit your surgical case. China Care conducts a proxy consultation with Huaxi surgeons and provides an assessment of operability before you commit to travel.
Treatment costs are quoted directly by West China Lecheng Hospital. We never add to or mark up the hospital's quoted treatment cost. Visa-free entry to Hainan for nationals of 59+ countries.
