chengdu

Oncology Second Opinion in Chengdu — Giulia's Story

Patient

Giulia, 52

From

🇮🇹 Italy

Procedure

Oncology Second Opinion + Treatment Planning

Duration

8 days total

Cost saving

Alternative treatment pathway identified — estimated €40,000 less than quoted surgery

Outcome

Neoadjuvant protocol adopted by home oncologist; patient reports remission (self-reported)

Giulia, 52, from Milan, had been diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer and offered a surgical resection by her Italian oncologist. Before committing to surgery, she wanted a second opinion from a high-volume centre. A friend in the medical field mentioned that West China Hospital at Sichuan University handled more colorectal cancer cases per year than most European countries combined.

ChinaCare arranged a full oncology review within ten days. The multidisciplinary tumour board at West China Hospital — a panel of surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists — reviewed her scans and pathology in detail. They proposed a neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocol before any surgery, consistent with recent international guidelines her Italian team had not applied, potentially avoiding a permanent colostomy.

Giulia returned to Italy with a comprehensive written report translated into Italian — an official document from the hospital's multidisciplinary tumour board, detailing the proposed treatment protocol. Her Italian oncologist reviewed it and agreed to adopt the approach. The eight-day trip to Chengdu — including her coordinator, two nights at a hotel near the hospital, and a day at the Giant Panda Research Base — cost under €2,500. "The hospital was extremely thorough. The coordinator made it feel manageable." — Giulia's own account, shared with consent. Individual outcomes vary.