National Center for Liver Cancer, Jiading, Shanghai

National Center for Liver Cancer

The National Center for Liver Cancer (国家肝癌科学中心), located in Anting, Jiading District, Shanghai, is China’s premier national hub for advanced research on liver cancer, prevention, and treatment.

Established and supported by top institutions: Jointly initiated by academic luminaries Wu Mengchao and Wang Hongyang, the center received approval from the National Development and Reform Commission in 2010. Construction commenced in April 2012 on the campus of the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (East China’s foremost liver surgery center) and was financed with approximately RMB 150 million from state and local government.

Part of Shanghai’s precision medicine cluster: As one of five major medical hubs in Jiading, it works in synergy with regional biomedicine initiatives and nearby Shanghai Mengchao Cancer Hospital.

Mission & Research Scope

Focuses on translational medicine to significantly reduce liver cancer incidence and mortality in China through:

1. Early warning systems for progression from hepatitis/cirrhosis to cancer

2. Biomarker discovery and molecular typing for personalized treatment

3. Unraveling molecular mechanisms underlying tumor development, metastasis, and recurrence

4. Exploring host–tumor microenvironment interactions

5. Identifying therapeutic drug targets and novel biotherapies

6. Pioneering precision medicine and clinical applications.

These research areas are supported by six core laboratories and shared facilities for biomarker evaluation, drug target validation, stem-cell studies, and high-throughput screening

Clinical Integration & Patient Care

• Located within the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (formerly Eastern Liver and Gallbladder Surgery Hospital), the center benefits from direct clinical collaboration, leveraging decades of surgical excellence since its founding by Wu Mengchao in 1993.

• The center provides advanced prevention programs and early screening efforts for high-risk groups such as HBV and cirrhosis, which are integrated with Jiading’s community health initiatives to enhance early diagnosis and improve survival outcomes.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Director: Professor Wang Hongyang (female), a distinguished academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, led the center at its inception.

• Academic influence: The center forms an international exchange and training platform, supporting high-level collaboration—as seen in forums like the HK–Shanghai Liver Forum—and cultivating top-tier liver cancer researchers.

Facilities & Infrastructure

• Sprawling across over 30,000 m², the campus comprises advanced research buildings, animal laboratories, and an academic exchange center.

• The campus is deeply integrated with clinical services at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, enabling a seamless translation from bench to bedside.

Impact & Future Outlook

• The program aligns with national goals to reduce liver cancer rates, improve early detection, and enhance 5-year survival. Efforts include:

  • The implementation of community screening initiatives, such as the Jiading pilot for chronic hepatitis and fatty liver patients, is underway.

  • The institution is also actively pursuing translational studies in fields such as multi-omics, spatial biology, and biomarker validation.

This hospital is considered the best in China for liver cancer treatment due to its focused research work and dedication to finding effective therapies.

The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital in Anting (Jiading, Shanghai) is a comprehensive specialist institution that focuses on advanced liver and biliary care and is home to the National Center for Liver Cancer. Here are its key specialties and service areas:

Core Clinical & Surgical Specialties

• Hepatobiliary Surgery—Expertise in major liver resections and biliary tract operations, led by pioneering figures like Dr. Wu Mengchao.

• Liver Transplantation—Comprehensive transplant program managing both pre- and post-operative phases.

• Oncological Hepatobiliary Care—Advanced management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including complex cases such as portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and microvascular invasion (MVI).

• Interventional Radiology/Oncology—Treatments guided by imaging, like transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), radioembolization (TARE), portal vein stenting, and targeted ablation methods.

Multidisciplinary Diagnosis & Treatment

• Specialist Tumor Boards—Regular consensus meetings involving surgeons, oncologists, interventional radiologists, hepatologists, pathologists, and radiation specialists to customize treatment plans.

• Dedicated PVTT Center—A designated program since 2013 for complex portal vein tumor thrombus cases, offering evidence-based, multidisciplinary strategies.

Supportive & Auxiliary Departments

• Diagnostic Imaging—State-of-the-art CT, MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and PET/CT to support complex liver cancer assessments.

• Pathology & Molecular Diagnostics—Works on studying biomarkers, determining cancer stages, and using genetic information to improve scoring systems that predict outcomes (like MVI and PVTT risk models).

• Radiation Oncology & Medical Oncology—Facilitating radiotherapy, targeted drug treatment (e.g., sorafenib), systemic therapy, and trials combining treatments.

Research & Academic Focus

• Clinical Research Units—Development and validation of prognostic scoring for liver cancer patients, such as the MVI and PVTT score systems.

• Key Laboratory Facilities—Focused on molecular oncology, stem-cell research, tumor microenvironment, and biomarker discovery.

Summary Table

In essence, this hospital is a center of excellence for complex liver and biliary diseases, staffed by multidisciplinary teams and equipped with integrated diagnostics, surgical and radiological treatments, and cutting-edge research capabilities.

The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital & National Center for Liver Cancer, located in Anting (Jiading, Shanghai), boasts a state-of-the-art infrastructure designed for advanced clinical care and cutting-edge research:

Campus & Architectural Layout

• Scope & Capacity:

  • Spanning 66 acres (~30 ha) with a total built-up area of 172,104 m², across 13 above-ground and 2 basement floors.

  • The facility is designed to accommodate 1,500 inpatient beds, along with fully equipped outpatient and emergency areas.

    Design Philosophy:

    • Inspired by life’s natural flow—water, greenery, and people—the design connects patient areas, public spaces, and research zones harmoniously.

    • The concrete structure (RC/S) guarantees longevity and flexibility. Installation of skylighted atriums offers open, light-filled communal spaces, promoting well-being.

Dedicated Research Complex

• Scientific Facilities:

  • Includes separate research and animal experiment buildings, totaling over 26,000 m² on a 40-mu (~2.6 ha) plot.

  • Equipped with SPF-grade animal labs, clean labs, high-throughput screening suites, cell phenotype analyzers, and genomic & molecular platforms.

• Academic Spaces:

  • Houses dedicated conference and exchange areas, administrative offices, and expert lounges—designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and educational exchange.

  • Integrated with intelligent facility management and research information systems for efficient operations.

Clinical & Operational Infrastructure

• Hospital Services:

  • Full-spectrum clinical support: emergency, outpatient, inpatient wards, advanced surgery suites, transplant units, and interventional radiology theaters.

  • Imaging division includes CT, MRI, PET/CT, and advanced ultrasound suites; laboratories support pathology and molecular diagnostics.

• Supportive Facilities:

  • Public amenities such as visitor lounges, cafeterias, green courtyards, and landscaped walking paths enhance the healing environment—a commitment reflected in architectural design.

Integration of Research & Discourse

• Seamless Layout:

  • Research and clinical buildings are physically connected, promoting smooth workflow between families, patients, clinicians, and researchers—facilitating rapid translational medicine.

• Flexible Infrastructure:

  • Modular labs and adaptable clinical spaces accommodate continuous updates in research equipment and technologies.

• International Standards:

  • Designed using global best practices for lab safety, containment, and research-grade HVAC systems—supporting high-level biological and translational studies.

Timeline & Recognition

• Operated since September 2015, the campus combines cutting-edge architecture with functional design.

• The facility has received national recognition for its exceptional design, which strikes a balance between intensive research demands and patient-centered care.

Summary Highlights

Overall, this advanced infrastructure supports high-tier clinical diagnosis and treatment, seamlessly integrated with transformative translational research—positioning the hospital as both a healing environment and a scientific powerhouse.

The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, which is the clinical base for the National Center for Liver Cancer, is located at No. 700 Moyu North Road, Anting Town, Jiading District, Shanghai, China

What is the best way to reach the National Center for Liver Cancer in Shanghai?

By Metro (Subway)

• Nearest Metro Station: Anting Station on Shanghai Metro Line 11

• From downtown Shanghai (e.g., People’s Square), take:

  • Line 1 → Line 2 → Line 11, or

  • Line 2 to Jiangsu Road, transfer to Line 11, and ride directly to Anting Station (last stop)

• After reaching Anting Station, take a short taxi ride (~10 mins) or local bus to the hospital on Moyu North Road

🚌 By Bus

• Bus routes serving the Anting area include

  • Anting 3, Anting 5, and Jiading 97

  • Look for stops near or on Moyu North Road (墨玉北路), where the hospital is located

• You can also connect from Jiading North Metro Station via a local bus to Anting

By High-Speed Train

• If arriving from outside Shanghai:

  • Take a high-speed train to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station

  • From there, board Metro Line 2 → Line 11 to Anting Station

• Alternatively, you can take a taxi (~45–60 minutes) directly from Hongqiao to the hospital

By Taxi or Ride-Hailing Apps

• From central Shanghai: ~1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic

• Estimated cost: ¥120–¥150 RMB from People’s Square

Hospital Address (for navigation apps)

No. 700 Moyu North Road, Anting Town, Jiading District, Shanghai, China

The Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital (EHBH), Anting Campus, is one of China’s top-tier national-level specialty hospitals and houses the National Center for Liver Cancer in Jiading District, Shanghai. It offers a comprehensive range of facilities across clinical care, diagnostics, surgical services, research, and patient support, all tailored primarily toward liver, biliary, and gastrointestinal diseases.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the major facilities:

1. Inpatient & Outpatient Facilities

Inpatient Wards

• Total capacity: ~1,500 beds

• Specialized wards for:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

  • Liver metastases

  • Biliary tract cancers

  • Liver cirrhosis and complications

  • Liver transplant patients (ICU and recovery units)

Outpatient Clinics

• Multidisciplinary consultation services with hepatologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, and interventional specialists

• Fast-track consultation lanes for tumor diagnosis and treatment initiation

• Dedicated liver cancer outpatient services

2. Diagnostic & Imaging Facilities

Imaging Department

• High-end MRI, CT, and PET-CT scanners for accurate tumor detection and staging

• Ultrasound Department equipped with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and elastography for cirrhosis and liver lesion evaluation

• Digital X-ray and fluoroscopy units

🧬 Laboratory Medicine

• Complete biochemical and hematology labs

• Tumor marker analysis (AFP, CA19-9, etc.)

• Hepatitis serology, viral DNA quantification

• Real-time PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and gene panel testing

3. Surgical & Interventional Facilities

Operating Theaters

• Modern modular surgical theaters, including liver transplantation ORs

• 3D laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical systems

• Negative pressure ORs for infection-sensitive procedures

Interventional Radiology

• Equipped for:

  • TACE (Transarterial Chemoembolization)

  • TARE (Radioembolization)

  • RFA/MWA (Ablation)

  • Portal vein stenting and embolization

• Image-guided biopsies and drainage procedures

4. Pathology & Molecular Diagnostics

• Histopathology, cytology, and immunohistochemistry services

• Frozen section lab for intraoperative diagnostics

• Molecular pathology lab for mutation and biomarker profiling

• Digital pathology and AI-assisted analysis tools

5. Precision Medicine & Research Facilities

• Translational research center for liver cancer genomics, stem cell therapy, drug target discovery

• SPF-standard animal testing lab for preclinical models

• Drug screening platforms and biobanks for patient-derived samples

• Dedicated labs for:

  • Tumor microenvironment research

  • Biomarker development

  • Cell phenotype and drug-resistance profiling

6. Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards

• Weekly MDT meetings involving:

  • Hepatobiliary surgeons

  • Medical oncologists

  • Interventional radiologists

  • Radiologists and pathologists

• Personalized treatment plans created with inputs from all specialists

• Supports second-opinion services and international consultation

7. Emergency & Intensive Care Units

• Fully equipped 24/7 emergency department

• Liver failure ICU

• Post-transplant ICU with HEPA filtration and close monitoring systems

• Shock management, sepsis care, and complex GI bleeding units

8. Patient & Family Support Services

• Patient education and counseling rooms

• Social work and psychological services for long-term cancer patients

• Language interpretation and international patient coordination

• Accommodation for family members within campus vicinity

• Cafeteria, pharmacy, and spiritual/quiet rooms

9. Digital & Smart Hospital Systems

• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and real-time PACS access

• AI-assisted diagnostic decision support tools

• Smart queueing and appointment systems

• Remote consultation rooms and telemedicine stations

10. Other Key Facilities

Future-Focused Initiatives

• Expansion of multi-omics-based patient stratification

• Integration of AI and radiomics in diagnostics

• Greater access to cell therapy trials and gene editing platforms

• Smart ICU with real-time monitoring and predictive analytics