1. Why come to China Cancer Centers (CCC)?
   
2. From the time we inquire, what sort of steps are  involved before arriving for treatment?
3. What are the side effects of your therapies?
4. How long does the treatment typically take?
5. How much will treatment cost?
6. Is there someone who can help arrange my affairs during my stay?
7. What patient amenities and services are available?
8. Are there any hotels or supermarkets nearby?
9. What is the weather like in Beijing?

Why come to China Cancer Centers (CCC)?

- Technology and Facilities: Our treatment centers are proud of their cutting-edge cancer treatments, and their ultra-modern medical facilities.
   

- Experimental Treatments: China Cancer Centers are some of the leading researchers of gene therapy (Gendicine), a treatment option that has been approved by China's health ministry. It has shown very promising results and is being quickly adopted by other leading cancer hospitals. Our labs are continually performing Gene tests to refine the Gendicine therapy so that we can target it to each patient’s specific cancerous gene deficiencies.

- English: We have fluent English-speaking physicians and staff.

- Affordability: Our cancer treatment costs are often a fraction of the costs in some Western countries. Here, you are paying for a quality of care that is equal to--or sometimes better--than the care you would receive in many developed Western countries.

From the time we inquire, what sort of steps are involved before arriving for the treatment?

1. The patient or family member makes an inquiry. 


2. Our patient service staff will ask the patient or family member to fill in a medical information form as registration.


3. Our doctors will carefully review the medical condition of the patient, confirm whether it is treatable and recommend a treatment scheme.

4. Patient service staff will promptly reply to the patients’ inquiry, explain the treatment plan, and explain why we believe that this plan is the best course of treatment.


5. When the patient decides to commit, the patient service staff helps the patient arrange their visa application and method of payment.


6. The patient and family member arranges the most convenient flight for them, and tells our patient services their flight number, arrival time, and date of arrival.


7. Patient service staff arranges airport pickup service and help with hospital admission.

What are the side effects of your therapies?

Cryoablation

Cryoablation is minimally-invasive surgical technique. Side effects include some of the same effects as traditionally invasive surgery, but to a lesser degree. Since the incision is much smaller in cryosurgery, the chances of infections and bleeding are fewer, the surgery is safer, less painful, and has a shorter recovery period.

CIK biotherapy

No serious side effects are observed with this type of therapy. In a small number of cases, there is a small fever where the body temperature may reach (37.2℃-40℃). This usually occurs approximately 2-10 hours after infusion of the CIK cells. Generally, this fever is self-limiting, meaning that the patient’s body temperature will return to normal in 2-10 hours, and only in a few cases do patients need antipyretics to alleviate the fever.

Endostar (anti-angiogenesis)

Most of the side effects associated with Endostar relate to the heart, and in rare cases, the side effects involve the digestive system or cause a skin allergy.

Occasionally, patients (6.38%) experience mild fatigue, chest distress and palpitation. In most cases, these symptoms will go away, and will not affect the course of treatment. Approximately 2.1% of patients have side-effects that are serious enough to require the treatment to be discontinued.

In rare cases, patients (0.1-1%) have diarrhea or liver dysfunction. Most of these cases are self-limiting and do not require extra treatment.

Another rare side-effect (0.1-1% of cases) is a skin allergy (systemic maculopapule with itching). This is also self-limiting (it will go away if left alone).

Gendicine (gene therapy)

The most commonly observed side effect associated with gene therapy is a self-limiting fever. In nearly 80% of the cases, temperatures rose to 37.5℃ to 39.5℃. This fever usually occurs 2 to 4 hours after administration of Gendicine and lasts for approximately 2 to 6 hours. The fever tends to diminish on its own and without medical intervention. Generally, fever occurs at the beginning of the treatment, and then decreases gradually in severity and incidence. Other rare side effects include chills, pain at the injection site, discomfort, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. Usually, no special management is needed as the symptoms will go away automatically.

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How long does the treatment typically take?

Treatment usually requires 1 or 2 months (sometimes 3) depending on the patient’s condition and his/her specific response to treatment.

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How much will treatment cost?

 Treatment costs vary patient-by-patient but on average, you can expect is between $20,000-30,000 USD / month.

Expenses INCLUDE:


- The routine medical treatment for the patient's specific cancer, nursing, drugs, one-use materials, etc.;

- All routine tests: ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, blood routine, liver function and renal function tests administered by our centers;


- One (1) standard patient room (approximately 25 square meters), which includes: two beds, TV, refrigerator, air-conditioner, and one bathroom/shower;


- Transportation to and from the airport;


- Language services;


- Laundry.



Expenses DO NOT INCLUDE:


- Special prescriptions, medications, tests, etc, (expenses not normally used during routine treatment of the patient's cancer);


- PET scans;


- Emergency medical services;


- Food expenses;


- Albumin;

- Blood transfusion;


- Personal expenses around Beijing (i.e. taxi fees, shopping expenses, etc.)

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Is there someone who can help me during my stay?

Our staff understands the cultural and language needs of international patients and offers a variety of services to meet those diverse needs. Via email and phone, we can help you arrange everything before you come and during your stay.

Pre-arrival preparations- Before you arrive, we will discuss with you which personal items and medical records you will need to bring and any necessary pre-arrival financial arrangements. We would be happy to assist you with any other concerns you might have regarding transportation, food, the weather, or any other special needs.


Assistance at the airport- 
The patient service staff will meet you at the airport when you arrive in China and bring you to our center. Upon your arrival, we will help you complete the admission process, fill out the registration forms, and help you adjust to your new surroundings. When you depart China to return home, our patient service staff will escort you to the airport and assist you with customs check-in.

Language Services- We know that getting around China can be tough without an ability to speak Chinese. However, our patient service staff can provide language assistance in English.


Visa Extension- 
Occasionally, a patient's treatment cycle will take longer than the time given on the patient's travel visa. In these cases, our patient service staff can help you to extend your stay. Usually, the patients’ initial treatment time requires 60 days, but it is important to have the necessary flexibility to stay longer if continuous treatment is recommended.  


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What patient amenities and services are available?

Email/Computers

There are internet connections in every hospital room. If you did not bring your own computer, you are welcome to use the internet connected computers in the patients' lounge. All of the computers have free internet access for patients. The computers are also equipped with webcams and headsets to stay in touch with family and friends back home on skype.

The washing machine and dryer are free for our patients.

Food Services

Patients receive an extensive restaurant-style menu of fresh, cooked-to-order foods that are tailored to the diet their physician prescribes. Meals are served within 2-3 hours of being ordered (western-style food). Chinese food can be made and delivered much more quickly. Family and friends may order guest meals and dine with patients in their rooms. A guest menu is provided to all patients upon admission. All meals must be paid in cash.

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Are there any hotels or supermarkets nearby?

Yes. There are small groceries located in the hospitals. Also, many of the hospitals have large shopping centers and hotels nearby. 

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What is the weather like in Beijing?

The city's climate has four distinct seasons: arid windy spring, hot humid summer, sunny fresh autumn, and the cold dry winter. The average temperature in January can fall to around 1 °C (33°F), while the average temperature in July is about 30°C (87 °F). In the extreme, low temperatures in winter can fall to -15 °C (5 °F) while the highest temperature in summer can rise to 40 °C (107 °F)

Every ward is equipped with an air conditioner (or two), and you can adjust the room temperature according to your preference. Every year, between November 15th - March 15th, there is central heating. During the winter, the room temperature is usually maintained at about 20 °C (68 °F).

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