The Department of Oncology at First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University traces its origins to the Department of Radiation Therapy, established in 1964, making it the pioneer of oncologic radiotherapy in Southwest China. In 1990, with the introduction of comprehensive oncology treatments, the Department of Radiation Therapy was restructured and renamed as the Department of Oncology. The department specializes in a multidisciplinary treatment approach to various malignant tumors, including nasopharyngeal cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, lymphoma, and brain tumors, through radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and interventional therapy. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and supported by a team of highly skilled professionals, the department has achieved remarkable success in the comprehensive and standardized treatment of malignancies, positioning itself at the forefront of oncology care in China.
The department comprises seven specialized oncology units, each led by highly esteemed senior specialists. Weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions are conducted to develop individualized and optimal treatment strategies for complex cases.
Gastrointestinal Oncology Sub-specialty: Backed by the colorectal cancer MDT team, a cutting-edge radiation therapy platform, and an exclusive disease database, this sub-specialty adheres to the principles of “standardization” and “personalization” in treatment. The unit specializes in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy for gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. It has made notable advancements in sphincter-preserving treatments for locally advanced low rectal cancer and the comprehensive management of recurrent and metastatic colorectal cancer. The colorectal cancer MDT team, one of the earliest and most advanced in Western China, has been operational for over 12 years, providing high-quality medical services to over 4,000 patients. The team has been recognized as a “National Health Commission Cancer (Digestive System) MDT Pilot Hospital” and a “China Cancer MDT Alliance Digestive System Cancer MDT Center”. Furthermore, the unit has spearheaded and participated in over 10 clinical trials of innovative anti-cancer therapies, enabling patients to access cutting-edge domestic and international treatments.
Breast Cancer Sub-specialty: As part of the “Breast Cancer Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Center” in Chongqing, this unit leverages its technical expertise to provide standardized diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer patients. Annually, the center manages over 1,500 breast cancer cases, has performed more than 1,500 breast-conserving surgeries with oncoplastic reconstruction, and administers radiotherapy to over 800 patients. Through a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach, integrating breast and endocrine surgery, oncology, radiology, ultrasound and pathology, the department provides specialized consultation services for complex cases. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the department pioneered an online MDT consultation platform, significantly enhancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment across the Western Breast and Thyroid Specialty Alliance. Over the past 15 years, our Breast Cancer Center has become the leading unit for the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association’s Breast Cancer Committee, the Chongqing Anti-Cancer Association’s Breast Cancer Committee, and the Chongqing Anti-Cancer Association’s Oncology Chemotherapy Committee. With extensive international collaborations, particularly with French medical and research institutions, the department has successfully hosted ten editions of the Sino-French International Advanced Breast Cancer Academic Forum. The center has also led or participated in dozens of international and domestic multi-center clinical trials, ensuring patients benefit from state-of-the-art oncologic interventions.
Head and Neck Oncology Sub-specialty: This sub-specialty focuses on the comprehensive treatment of malignant tumors affecting the nasopharynx, nasal cavity and sinuses, larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and oral cavity, utilizing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The team includes experts from the Department of Oncology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Radiology, Department of Pathology, Department of Nutrition. The Head and Neck Cancer MDT, operational for over a decade, has delivered personalized treatment plans to over 3,500 patients, covering regions from Southwest China to coastal provinces. Recognized as a Head and Neck Cancer Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment Training Base by the China Medical Education Association’s Head and Neck Oncology Committee in December 2017, this unit has actively conducted 9 provincial and municipal-level oncology forums and standardized diagnosis training programs. As a nationally designated clinical trial site, it has participated in 17 international and domestic multi-center clinical trials for advanced therapeutic innovations in head and neck oncology.
Gynecological Oncology Sub-specialty: Dedicated to ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer, this unit offers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and participates in international and domestic multi-center clinical trials and investigator-initiated clinical research. As a National Health Commission Level 4 Gynecological Endoscopic Surgery Training Base, the chairman unit of the Southwest Gynecological Oncology and Difficult Disease Specialty Alliance, and a training base for the Gynecological Laparoscopy Training Program under the National County-level Talent Cultivation Plan of the Chinese Medical Association, it employs the Da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical platform, precision external beam radiotherapy, and 3D brachytherapy systems to provide high-quality comprehensive treatment services for locally advanced and recurrent metastatic gynecological cancer patients. By establishing a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) for gynecological oncology, it has treated over 3,000 patients, with an annual radiotherapy caseload exceeding 500 cases, significantly enhancing the survival outcomes of gynecological cancer patients.
Prostate Cancer Sub-specialty: This unit provides comprehensive management of prostate cancer, encompassing surgical interventions, endocrine therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and isotope therapy. The MDT team, composed of experts from the Department of Oncology, Department of Urology, Department of Radiology, Department of Nuclear Medicine, and Department of Pathology, has been active for nearly a decade, focusing on individualized treatment and long-term management of prostate cancer patients. The unit tailors personalized treatment regimens based on patient age, disease progression, and overall health status, closely monitors the patient’s condition, and adjusts the treatment plan in a timely manner. Additionally, it provides rehabilitation guidance and psychological support to help patients better cope with the physical and mental stress caused by the illness.
Lung Cancer Sub-specialty: This unit is dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, employing a full spectrum of therapeutic modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. A systematic and well-established lung cancer diagnosis and treatment protocol has been developed, ensuring precision and standardization in care. Through a Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT), the department collaborates with the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Radiology, Department of Pathology, delivering top-tier lung cancer care to patients. From the early detection of pulmonary nodules and early-stage lung cancer to the management of advanced disease, the department offers tailored, patient-centered treatment solutions. For patients who are ineligible for surgical intervention, the department routinely administers minimally invasive treatments, including SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy), brachytherapy, and radiofrequency ablation, bringing new hope and improved prognoses to a broader spectrum of lung cancer patients.
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumors Sub-specialty: This unit is committed to the standardized diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The department actively engages in both fundamental and translational clinical research on hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors, forming a treatment system centered on surgical resection and focusing on a comprehensive treatment model that includes chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, endocrine therapy, and radiotherapy, ensuring a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to oncologic care. In 2019, the department was officially designated by the National Health Commission as a “Training Base for the Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer”. The department’s Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) team, comprising experts from the Departments of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Oncology, Radiology, Pathology and Nutrition, has received national accolades, securing awards at both the 3rd and 4th National Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Summit Forums and the National Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor MDT Symposium. As a pioneer in MDT implementation for hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors in Southwest China, the department has set a benchmark for excellence in the field.
Through six decades of relentless advancement, the department has garnered widespread recognition and multiple national accolades, including:
In 2012, the department was designated as a “Model Ward for Cancer Pain Standardized Treatment” by the Ministry of Health (the only department in Chongqing to receive this honor) and approved as the High-Energy Focused Ultrasound Tumor Treatment Training Base accredited by the Ministry of Health.
In 2013, it was awarded the “Oncology Clinical Key Specialty Construction Project” by the Ministry of Health (the sole recipient in Chongqing).
In 2014, it was accredited as a Clinical Trial Base for Anticancer Drugs by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and was granted the designation of National Key Clinical Specialty.
In 2015, it was established as a Standardized Training Base for Oncological Radiotherapy Residents.
In 2016, it was recognized as a Clinical Medical Research Center for Oncology by Chongqing Health and Family Planning Commission.
In 2017, it was designated as the Research Base for the New Service Model Solution Project in Radiation Therapy.
In 2022, it won recognition as a Top Ten Exemplary Unit in Remote Medical Collaboration.
In 2023, it was honored as a Multidisciplinary Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT) Center.
The department is staffed by 138 medical professionals, including 35 physicians, 9 medical physicists, 1 biomedical engineer, 21 radiation technicians, and 62 specialized oncology nurses. The team comprises 5 senior professionals, 14 associate senior professionals, and 38 mid-level professionals. Among them, 26 hold doctoral degrees, and 14 hold master’s degrees and 10 faculty members serve as graduate supervisors. The department actively engages in international academic exchange, with 16 specialists having undergone advanced training at leading institutions in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Singapore, while 26 have received specialized oncology training at China’s top cancer centers.
The department operates across four inpatient wards, with a total of 203 beds: 136 beds at the Main Hospital (112 inpatient beds, 8 outpatient chemotherapy beds, and 16 infusion chairs), and 67 beds at Jinshan Campus (45 oncology beds and 22 thoracic surgery beds).
The department offers inpatient services, outpatient chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The department is equipped with world-class oncology treatment technologies, including: 5 state-of-the-art medical linear accelerators, 1 MR simulation machine, 1 large-bore CT simulation machine, 1 three-dimensional brachytherapy machine, 10 sets of Eclipse and Raystation 3D treatment planning systems, 1 three-dimensional water tank, 3 cutting-edge 3D plan verification systems (Compass, Dolphin, and Delta 4), 2 two-dimensional matrices, 1 high-precision radiotherapy simulation phantom, as well as complete quality control equipment, including dosimeters, morning check devices, solid water calibration tools, ion chambers, and dose analyzers. The department regularly performs high-precision, image-guided radiotherapy procedures, including: stereotactic radiotherapy (SRS, SRT, SBRT, SABR), Image-guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), Volumetric Arc Modulated Therapy (VAMT), Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Three-dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT), and Brachytherapy.
“Patient-centered care with an unwavering commitment to continuously enhancing the quality of medical services” remains the steadfast pursuit of the Department of Oncology.