Gastrointestinal Oncology Center

Specialized care for esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers — combining minimally invasive surgery, neoadjuvant therapy, targeted and immunotherapy, and interventional techniques within a coordinated MDT framework.

Center Overview

Comprehensive gastrointestinal cancer care that addresses the full spectrum of digestive system malignancies, from early lesions to advanced disease.

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Full GI Cancer Spectrum

Esophageal · Gastric · Colorectal · Pancreatic

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Cancer Types Treated
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MDT Core Specialties

Comprehensive Digestive Cancer Care

The Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology Center at Beijing Arion Cancer Hospital provides specialized care for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer — the most common and challenging digestive system malignancies. Our center brings together four core specialties in a unified MDT framework to address the complexity of GI cancers.

Our MDT team integrates GI surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and interventional oncology — ensuring that every treatment decision benefits from multidisciplinary expertise. GI cancers often require complex treatment sequencing: neoadjuvant therapy to shrink tumors before surgery, precision surgical resection, adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence risk, and systemic or interventional therapy for advanced disease. Our MDT coordinates this entire sequence seamlessly.

Minimally invasive surgery is a cornerstone of our program. Our surgeons are skilled in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques that reduce surgical trauma, accelerate recovery, and improve quality of life — without compromising oncologic outcomes. For advanced cases, our interventional oncology program offers localized treatments including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation, and other image-guided procedures.

Cancers We Treat

Our center provides comprehensive care for the full range of gastrointestinal malignancies.

Common

Esophageal Cancer

Comprehensive care for both squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Treatment options include neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy, definitive chemoradiation for non-surgical candidates, and systemic therapy for advanced disease. Endoscopic resection is available for early-stage lesions.

High Prevalence

Gastric Cancer

From early gastric cancer treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to advanced disease requiring gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, targeted therapy (HER2-positive), and immunotherapy for MSI-high tumors. Our surgeons specialize in both laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy.

Treatable

Colorectal Cancer

Comprehensive colorectal cancer care including colonoscopy and polyp removal, minimally invasive colectomy and rectal resection, neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, and sphincter-preserving surgery. Targeted therapy (anti-EGFR, anti-VEGF) and immunotherapy for MSI-high metastatic disease, guided by comprehensive molecular profiling.

Complex

Pancreatic Cancer

The most challenging GI malignancy. Our MDT team provides pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) and distal pancreatectomy, neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable tumors, systemic chemotherapy, and interventional approaches for locally advanced disease. Pain management and biliary drainage are integrated into the care plan.

Our MDT Approach to GI Cancer

Four core specialties working in unison to navigate the complexity of gastrointestinal cancer treatment.

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GI Surgery

Our GI surgical oncologists specialize in minimally invasive techniques — laparoscopic and robotic-assisted resection — for esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Standardized oncologic resection with appropriate lymphadenectomy is combined with enhanced recovery protocols to optimize outcomes. Sphincter-preserving and function-preserving surgery is prioritized where oncologically appropriate.

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Medical Oncology

Systemic therapy is tailored to cancer type, molecular profile, and stage. This includes neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink tumors before surgery, adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence, and first-line and beyond systemic therapy for metastatic disease. Targeted therapy (anti-EGFR, anti-VEGF, HER2-directed) and immunotherapy (MSI-high, PD-L1 positive) are guided by comprehensive genomic testing.

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Radiation Oncology

Radiation therapy plays a key role in esophageal and rectal cancer treatment. We offer neoadjuvant chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer, definitive chemoradiation for esophageal cancer, and palliative radiation for symptom control in advanced disease. IMRT and other precision techniques minimize damage to surrounding organs.

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Interventional Oncology

Our interventional oncology program offers minimally invasive, image-guided procedures for GI cancers. This includes transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatic metastases, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver lesions, biliary stenting for obstructive jaundice in pancreatic cancer, and percutaneous tumor ablation — providing localized treatment options for advanced disease.

Traditional GI Cancer Care

  • Surgery first approach with limited preoperative planning
  • Neoadjuvant therapy underutilized or not coordinated
  • Molecular testing often not performed before treatment
  • Limited interventional options for advanced disease
  • Treatment sequencing decided without full team input

Arion GI Oncology MDT

  • Treatment plan optimized by full MDT before any intervention
  • Neoadjuvant therapy integrated when beneficial
  • Comprehensive molecular testing guides targeted therapy
  • Interventional oncology options for advanced and metastatic disease
  • Treatment sequencing optimized by multidisciplinary consensus

Treatment Options

A comprehensive arsenal of GI cancer treatments, from minimally invasive surgery to advanced systemic and interventional therapies.

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Minimally Invasive Surgery

Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery for esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. Smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, faster bowel recovery, and shorter hospital stay — with oncologic outcomes comparable to or better than open surgery.

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Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Preoperative chemotherapy to shrink tumors, improve resectability, eliminate micrometastases, and test tumor response. Particularly valuable for locally advanced gastric, rectal, and pancreatic cancers — enabling better surgical outcomes.

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Targeted Therapy

Molecularly targeted therapy including anti-EGFR antibodies (cetuximab, panitumumab) for RAS wild-type colorectal cancer, anti-VEGF (bevacizumab), HER2-directed therapy for gastric cancer, and other agents guided by comprehensive genomic profiling.

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Immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors for MSI-high (microsatellite instability) and dMMR GI cancers, as well as PD-L1 positive tumors. Used in both early-stage and metastatic settings, offering durable responses in molecularly selected patients.

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Interventional Therapy

Image-guided minimally invasive procedures including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for liver metastases, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and biliary interventions — providing localized treatment for advanced or metastatic GI cancers.

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Endoscopic Treatment

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early-stage esophageal, gastric, and colorectal lesions. These organ-preserving techniques remove early cancers without external surgery, maintaining quality of life.

Meet Our GI Oncology Specialists

Our GI Oncology Center is led by specialists from China's premier medical institutions, bringing deep expertise in GI surgery and gastroenterology.

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Dr. Ma Zhiqiang (马志强)

Deputy Chief Physician
General Surgery · Former Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH)

A distinguished GI surgeon from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) — China's most prestigious medical institution. Dr. Ma brings extensive surgical expertise in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic malignancies. He is skilled in both open and minimally invasive surgical techniques, with a focus on standardized oncologic resection and enhanced recovery. His PUMCH background ensures that patients receive surgical care aligned with the highest clinical standards in China.

General Surgery PUMCH Expert Minimally Invasive Surgery GI Cancers Pancreatic Surgery
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Dr. Liu Chaoqun (刘超群)

Deputy Chief Physician
Gastroenterology · Former PLA General Hospital 6th Medical Center

A gastroenterology specialist from the PLA General Hospital 6th Medical Center, Dr. Liu has deep expertise in the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. He is skilled in advanced endoscopic procedures including endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early GI cancers, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), and other therapeutic endoscopy techniques. His expertise in both diagnostic gastroenterology and interventional endoscopy makes him a vital member of the GI oncology MDT team, particularly in the early detection and minimally invasive treatment of GI cancers.

Gastroenterology Endoscopic Surgery ESD/EMR Early GI Cancer Diagnostic Endoscopy

Why Choose Arion for GI Cancer Care?

Our unique advantages make us a leading destination for international patients seeking expert GI cancer treatment in China.

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PUMCH-Level Surgical Excellence

Our GI surgery program is led by Dr. Ma Zhiqiang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, bringing the surgical expertise and clinical standards of China's top medical institution to every patient's treatment.

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Endoscopic Expertise

Dr. Liu Chaoqun's expertise in advanced endoscopic techniques (ESD, EMR) enables organ-preserving treatment of early GI cancers — removing tumors through the endoscope without external surgery, preserving organ function and quality of life.

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Seamless MDT Coordination

GI cancer treatment often involves complex sequencing of neoadjuvant therapy, surgery, and adjuvant therapy. Our MDT team coordinates this entire sequence, with a dedicated Case Manager ensuring that no step is missed and the plan is adjusted in real time.

Ready to Explore GI Cancer Treatment Options?

Our GI Oncology MDT team is ready to provide a personalized consultation for esophageal, gastric, colorectal, or pancreatic cancer. Send us your medical records, pathology reports, and imaging for a remote assessment, or schedule an in-person visit to Beijing.

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