Nasopharyngeal cancer
This cancer starts behind the nose, at the top of the throat. About 4 in 10 of the world's cases are in China. It's far more common in the south, where Guangzhou is.
Treatments
Specialists review your case first
Tell us your diagnosis and the treatment you've had so far. Specialists at the hospital review it before anything is booked.
They suggest a plan and give an estimated price. If they don't think coming to China will help, we'll tell you.
- Time in Guangzhou
- Depends on your plan
- Cost
- Priced after a specialist review
Why China
What China has going for it
Figures come from official or published sources. Prices are estimates, from October 2026.
Shared treatment guidelines
Chinese and American cancer societies wrote a joint treatment guideline for nasopharyngeal cancer in 2021.
Proton therapy
Proton therapy has been available in Guangzhou since December 2024. Whether it suits your case is for the specialists to say.
Where you'd be treated
We book appointments at top hospitals in Guangzhou, rated Grade 3A, the top grade in China. Each has an international department that looks after patients from abroad. You get the hospital's name when you decide to go ahead.
Procedures
Procedures and estimated totals
Each total is an estimate for the whole trip from the UK: the treatment, return flights, a hotel for the typical stay, food and local transport. Prices are from October 2026.
PET-CT scan
A whole-body scan with a report. Often used to see whether a cancer has spread.
- Est. total
- £1,800Includes return flights from the UK, a hotel for 3 nights, food and local transport.
- Time in Guangzhou
- 2–4 nights
- Compared with the UK
- About the same
Cancer surgery
An operation to remove a tumour. The surgeon explains how it's done and how long recovery takes.
- Time in Guangzhou
- Depends on your plan
- Cost
- Priced after a specialist review
Chemotherapy and targeted drugs
Medicines given in cycles, often over several months. Your plan shows how many cycles you'd have in Guangzhou.
- Time in Guangzhou
- Depends on your plan
- Cost
- Priced after a specialist review
Radiotherapy
Radiation treatment, usually in daily sessions over several weeks. Ask whether proton therapy suits your case.
- Time in Guangzhou
- Depends on your plan
- Cost
- Priced after a specialist review
What to expect
How it works
Your own plan may differ.
Tell us what you need
Your diagnosis and stage if you know them, the treatment you've had so far and what your doctor at home suggests.
Specialists review your case
We pass it to the hospital. Specialists in the right field suggest a plan and give an estimated price, or tell us if the trip won't help.
We book your appointment
If you decide to go ahead, we book your first appointment and let the hospital know you're coming.
At the hospital
Give your appointment details at the international department. They help you from there, through tests and treatment.
Your estimate
What to tell us
We pass it to the hospital's specialists. The more you tell us, the closer the estimate.
Not sure what matters? Tell us what you know. We'll ask if the specialists need more.
Get a quoteOr message us on
- Your diagnosis and stage, if you know them
- Treatment so far: operations, chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with rough dates
- What your doctor at home suggests
- Other health conditions
- The medicines you take
Good to know
Before you decide
Some of these may change your mind.
Some treatments run for months. Your plan will say whether that means a long stay or more than one trip.
You can't fly straight after surgery. After chest or abdominal surgery, the usual minimum is 10 days. Your surgeon decides.
We only book approved treatment, never unproven therapies.
You'll need a visa. Visa-free entry doesn't cover medical care. Check the rules with your local Chinese visa centre.
Normal travel insurance usually won't cover planned treatment abroad. Check with your insurer before you book. You may need specialist cover.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Ask us anything else in the chat.
This isn't medical advice
Read our termsThis page gives general information about a treatment. It isn't a recommendation for you.
We book appointments at independent hospitals. We're not a hospital, so we don't diagnose or treat anyone.
Only a doctor who has examined you can say if a treatment suits you. You and the doctor treating you decide together.
Every treatment carries risks. Results vary from person to person.
Prices, lengths of stay and recovery times on this page are estimates. Long flights soon after surgery raise the risk of blood clots. Your doctor in Guangzhou decides when it's safe to fly home.
Talk to your own doctor before you decide to travel for treatment. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Other treatments
Health check-ups & scans
Check-ups and scans in one morning
- Time in Guangzhou
- 2–4 nights
- Est. total
- £1,800 for a check-upIncludes return flights from the UK and a hotel
Heart care
Stents, bypass and valve surgery in Guangzhou
- Time in Guangzhou
- 4 nights to 5 weeks
- Est. total
- £9,200 for a stentIncludes return flights from the UK and a hotel
Joints & spine
Knee, hip and spine surgery in Guangzhou
- Time in Guangzhou
- 3–6 weeks
- Est. total
- £14,800 for a kneeIncludes return flights from the UK and a hotel
Get an estimate for your treatment
Tell us what you need. Specialists at the hospital review it and give an estimated price.
You don't have to go ahead.