Expert care for cancers of the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, and gallbladder — combining advanced surgical resection, interventional therapies, precision systemic treatment, and ablation technologies through a real-time multidisciplinary team model.
A specialized hepatobiliary oncology center integrating hepatobiliary surgery, medical oncology, interventional oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and diagnostic imaging into one coordinated multidisciplinary team.
The Hepatobiliary Oncology Center at Beijing Arion Cancer Hospital is dedicated to the full-spectrum management of cancers affecting the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, and gallbladder. These are among the most technically challenging malignancies to treat, requiring a coordinated approach across multiple disciplines. Our philosophy is built on the principle that no single specialty can optimally manage hepatobiliary cancers alone — only through true multidisciplinary collaboration can the best outcomes be achieved.
Our center brings together specialists from hepatobiliary surgery, medical oncology, interventional oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and diagnostic imaging — forming a dedicated MDT core team that evaluates every patient comprehensively. This real-time, full-term MDT model means that surgical candidacy is assessed alongside interventional and systemic options from the very beginning, and treatment sequences are optimized based on tumor biology, liver function, vascular involvement, and patient performance status.
We manage the entire disease spectrum — from early-stage tumors amenable to curative resection or ablation, to locally advanced disease where combination approaches (surgery, interventional therapy, systemic therapy) can achieve meaningful disease control, to metastatic disease where systemic therapy and locoregional interventions are strategically combined. With access to advanced surgical techniques, state-of-the-art interventional radiology suites, modern radiation platforms, and the full portfolio of targeted and immunotherapeutic agents, our center delivers care aligned with BCLC, NCCN, ESMO, and JSGE guidelines.
Surgery + intervention + systemic therapy + ablation
Every hepatobiliary cancer patient receives a dedicated multidisciplinary team from the initial evaluation, with real-time collaboration across surgery, interventional radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and pathology throughout the entire treatment journey.
Hepatobiliary cancers demand precise characterization before any treatment decision. Our MDT team jointly reviews multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT/MRI, hepatobiliary-specific MRI contrast (gadoxetic acid), MRCP for biliary anatomy, PET-CT for staging, tumor markers (AFP, CA19-9, CEA), liver function assessment including Child-Pugh score and ICG clearance, and histopathology with molecular profiling. Hepatobiliary surgeons, interventional radiologists, pathologists, and medical oncologists reach consensus in a single discussion, eliminating the delays and conflicting recommendations that plague traditional sequential consultation.
Treatment planning for hepatobiliary cancers requires the seamless integration of multiple modalities. The MDT evaluates resectability (assessing tumor extent, vascular involvement, future liver remnant volume, and underlying liver function), interventional options (TACE, HAIC, radioembolization), ablative approaches (RFA, microwave ablation), radiation therapy (SBRT), and systemic therapy (targeted agents, immunotherapy, chemotherapy). The team sequences these modalities strategically — for example, preoperative portal vein embolization to hypertrophy the future liver remnant, neoadjuvant systemic therapy to downstage borderline resectable disease, or post-ablation adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence.
Hepatobiliary cancers are biologically heterogeneous and often require treatment plan modification based on response. Our MDT meets regularly to reassess each patient's imaging, tumor markers, liver function, and clinical status. If a tumor shows insufficient response to TACE, the team may transition to HAIC or systemic therapy. If initial unresectable disease responds dramatically to combination therapy, surgical reassessment is triggered. If disease progression occurs on one systemic regimen, the team evaluates next-line options including clinical trial eligibility. This dynamic, responsive model is essential for a disease group where treatment pathways frequently require mid-course correction.
Our center provides specialized, MDT-coordinated care for the full spectrum of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies, from early detection through advanced disease management.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver cancer. Our center manages the full spectrum — from early-stage HCC treated with resection, ablation, or transplantation evaluation, to intermediate-stage disease managed with TACE, to advanced HCC treated with combination systemic therapy including atezolizumab-bevacizumab and other targeted-immunotherapy regimens. Underlying liver disease (hepatitis B/C, cirrhosis, NAFLD) is managed concurrently to optimize treatment tolerance and outcomes.
Intrahepatic, perihilar (Klatskin), and distal cholangiocarcinoma each require distinct treatment approaches. Our MDT evaluates resectability using high-resolution MRCP and vascular imaging, plans complex liver resections with biliary reconstruction when appropriate, and offers locoregional therapies (TACE, radioembolization, hepatic artery infusion) and systemic therapy with gemcitabine-cisplatin plus immunotherapy for unresectable disease.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most challenging malignancies. Our center offers comprehensive care including Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) and distal pancreatectomy for resectable disease, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation for borderline resectable disease, and systemic therapy (FOLFIRINOX, gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel) with supportive care for advanced disease. Precision medicine approaches including germline and somatic genomic testing guide targeted therapy and immunotherapy options.
Gallbladder cancer, often discovered incidentally at cholecystectomy, requires specialized surgical management including radical cholecystectomy with regional lymphadenectomy and possible bile duct resection. Our MDT evaluates each case for the optimal surgical approach, adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine-based regimens, and palliative options for unresectable disease including biliary stenting and targeted therapy based on molecular profiling.
A comprehensive array of evidence-based treatment modalities, individually customized and MDT-coordinated to achieve optimal outcomes across all hepatobiliary cancer types and stages.
Curative-intent surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment for resectable hepatobiliary cancers. Our hepatobiliary surgical team performs complex procedures including major and minor hepatectomies with vascular reconstruction, pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, radical cholecystectomy with bile duct resection, and combined multi-organ resections. Preoperative optimization with portal vein embolization to induce future liver remnant hypertrophy, volumetric CT-based resection planning, and intraoperative ultrasound guidance ensure the highest standards of surgical precision and safety. Postoperative care is managed collaboratively with critical care, nutrition, and rehabilitation specialists.
Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) are cornerstone locoregional treatments for liver-dominant hepatobiliary cancers. TACE combines the delivery of concentrated chemotherapy directly to the tumor via the hepatic artery with embolic particles that block tumor blood supply, achieving high intratumoral drug concentrations with reduced systemic exposure. HAIC delivers continuous chemotherapy infusion through an indwelling hepatic artery catheter, offering sustained drug delivery for selected patients with extensive intrahepatic disease or portal vein tumor thrombus. Our interventional oncology team selects between conventional TACE (cTACE), drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE), and HAIC based on tumor burden, liver function, vascular anatomy, and treatment goals.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the systemic treatment of hepatobiliary cancers. For hepatocellular carcinoma, the combination of atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) plus bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) has become the standard first-line therapy, with additional options including durvalumab plus tremelimumab and nivolumab-based regimens. For biliary tract cancers, durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine-cisplatin chemotherapy has established a new first-line standard. Our medical oncology team integrates immunotherapy into treatment sequences based on tumor type, biomarker status (PD-L1 expression, MSI-H/dMMR status, tumor mutational burden), liver function, and prior treatment history.
Thermal ablation techniques including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) provide curative-intent local tumor destruction for selected patients with small hepatocellular carcinomas, liver metastases, and oligorecurrent disease. These minimally invasive, image-guided procedures use heat generated by radiofrequency or microwave energy to achieve complete tumor necrosis with a surrounding safety margin. Microwave ablation offers advantages including faster ablation times, larger ablation zones, and reduced heat-sink effect from adjacent blood vessels. Ablation is performed percutaneously, laparoscopically, or at open surgery depending on tumor location, and is often combined with other modalities in a multidisciplinary treatment plan.
Molecularly targeted agents play a critical role in the management of advanced hepatobiliary cancers. For hepatocellular carcinoma, multi-kinase inhibitors (lenvatinib, sorafenib, regorafenib, cabozantinib) and ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR2) provide effective systemic options. For biliary tract cancers, FGFR inhibitors (pemigatinib, futibatinib) for FGFR2 fusion/rearrangement-positive cholangiocarcinoma and IDH1 inhibitors (ivosidenib) for IDH1-mutated cholangiocarcinoma exemplify the precision medicine approach. For pancreatic cancer, PARP inhibitors (olaparib) for germline BRCA-mutated disease and NTRK inhibitors for rare NTRK fusion-positive tumors are available. Comprehensive genomic profiling guides the selection of targeted therapy for each patient.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers highly conformal, ablative doses of radiation to liver tumors while sparing surrounding normal liver parenchyma. It is utilized for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or liver metastases who are not candidates for surgery or ablation, as well as for selected patients with portal vein tumor thrombus. For pancreatic cancer, SBRT and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are employed in the neoadjuvant, definitive, and palliative settings. For biliary tract cancers, radiation therapy can provide local control for unresectable disease and palliation of obstructive symptoms. Motion management techniques including respiratory gating and abdominal compression ensure precise dose delivery despite respiratory liver motion.
Our Hepatobiliary Oncology Center is supported by expert specialists from China's leading medical institutions, each bringing critical diagnostic and therapeutic expertise to the multidisciplinary team.
A highly experienced radiation oncologist from the PLA General Hospital 5th Medical Center, Dr. Zhao specializes in the application of advanced radiation techniques for hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. His expertise encompasses stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for liver tumors, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for pancreatic and biliary malignancies, and the integration of radiation with systemic therapy and interventional procedures. Dr. Zhao contributes critical radiation oncology perspective to the MDT team, evaluating each patient for the role of radiotherapy in curative, adjuvant, and palliative settings, with meticulous attention to normal tissue sparing and liver function preservation.
A distinguished radiologist from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), one of China's most prestigious medical institutions, Dr. Lin brings exceptional expertise in hepatobiliary and pancreatic imaging. His proficiency in interpreting multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, hepatobiliary-specific contrast MRI, MRCP for biliary anatomy, and PET-CT for oncologic staging is indispensable to the MDT team. Dr. Lin's precise characterization of tumor extent, vascular involvement, biliary anatomy, and lymph node status directly informs resectability assessments, interventional planning, and treatment response evaluation. His training at PUMCH's rigorous radiology program ensures imaging interpretation at the highest international standard.
A skilled oncologic pathologist from the PLA General Hospital 5th Medical Center, Dr. Zhang specializes in the histopathological and molecular diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies. His expertise covers the full spectrum of diagnostic pathology — from distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma from cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic disease, to grading pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, to performing immunohistochemistry and molecular testing for actionable biomarkers. Dr. Zhang's pathological assessments form the foundation of every MDT discussion, establishing the definitive diagnosis that guides all subsequent treatment decisions. His molecular pathology expertise enables the identification of targetable alterations including FGFR2 fusions, IDH1 mutations, microsatellite instability, NTRK fusions, and BRCA mutations that open precision therapy options for patients.
Our unique advantages make us a leading destination for international patients seeking world-class hepatobiliary cancer care in China.
Our clinical protocols and quality benchmarks are aligned with UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), a global leader in hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation. For complex hepatobiliary cases, remote consultation with UPMC hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery specialists is available through our institutional partnership, bringing international expertise directly to patient care discussions.
Hepatobiliary cancers demand the coordinated application of surgery, interventional radiology, systemic therapy, radiation, and ablation — and our MDT model is designed precisely for this purpose. Unlike centers where these modalities are siloed, our team evaluates every patient jointly, sequences treatments strategically, and transitions seamlessly between modalities as the disease evolves. This integrated approach is particularly critical for hepatobiliary cancers where the treatment pathway often involves multiple modalities used in combination or sequence.
Many hepatobiliary cancer patients have underlying liver disease that limits treatment options. Our MDT systematically assesses and optimizes liver function throughout the treatment journey — from antiviral therapy for hepatitis B/C, to portal vein embolization to grow the future liver remnant before major resection, to selecting systemic agents with favorable hepatic safety profiles, to dose-modifying therapy based on serial liver function monitoring. This liver-centric approach enables treatment delivery that other centers may deem too risky.
Every international patient is assigned a dedicated Case Manager who coordinates all appointments, facilitates communication with the MDT team, arranges professional interpretation services, and provides comprehensive logistical support — from visa assistance and airport pickup to accommodation arrangements and local navigation. For hepatobiliary cancer patients who often require multiple treatment modalities over extended periods, this continuous support infrastructure is essential for a smooth treatment experience.
Hepatobiliary cancers are increasingly defined by their molecular drivers rather than their anatomic origin alone. Our center offers comprehensive genomic profiling of tumor tissue and liquid biopsy (ctDNA), with testing panels covering FGFR, IDH, HER2, NTRK, MSI, TMB, BRCA, and other actionable biomarkers. These results directly inform targeted therapy selection, immunotherapy eligibility, and clinical trial matching — ensuring that every patient's treatment is guided by the biology of their individual tumor.
Hepatobiliary cancer survivors require structured, lifelong surveillance for recurrence and new primary tumors, as well as management of treatment-related hepatic and metabolic effects. Our survivorship program provides protocol-driven follow-up with regular imaging, tumor marker monitoring, liver function assessment, and nutritional support. For patients with underlying cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, ongoing hepatology co-management ensures comprehensive care that extends beyond the cancer diagnosis.