Table of Contents
What a full course costs
Shanghai's particle-therapy centers quote a course, not a session. The table below is what international self-pay patients are told before their records have been reviewed.
| Facility or region | Course price | Model | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPHIC — treatment only | ≈ 278,000 CNY (US$41,000) | Flat rate | 2026-08 |
| SPHIC — with hospitalization | ≈ 310,000 CNY (US$45,000) | Flat rate | 2026-08 |
| Ruijin Hospital (domestic system) | up to ≈ 170,000 CNY | Flat rate | 2026-08 |
| Shanghai, typical range | US$38,000 – US$55,000 | Varies | 2026-08 |
| United States / United Kingdom | US$100,000 – US$200,000 | Per fraction | 2026-08 |
SPHIC's rate has not moved since the center opened in 2015. A fixed rate is unusual in particle therapy and it is the single biggest reason Shanghai quotes are predictable.
What the quoted price includes
SPHIC's flat rate is built to cover the full planned course of proton treatment along with the hospitalization, medical examinations and nursing care tied to that admission. Because pricing is fixed rather than per-fraction, the quote generally does not creep upward if your plan runs the expected number of sessions. Centers with international departments usually add treatment planning, multidisciplinary case review, and interpreter or coordination support.
What the price does not include
The flat rate covers the treatment course, not the journey around it. Pre-treatment diagnostics — fresh scans, biopsies and staging work to confirm you are a candidate — are commonly billed separately. Any systemic treatment you need alongside or after radiation is a separate recurring cost. Travel, visas, accommodation for you and a companion, meals, and a longer stay if complications arise all sit outside the package.
Does insurance cover any of it?
China's basic public insurance does not cover proton therapy. Some Shanghai-specific commercial plans can reimburse residents, but that does not extend to international patients.
Reviewed by Faizan Afzal
Data verified:
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