Diseases with low treatment costs and remarkable efficacy in China
在中国治疗费用低且疗效突出的疾病
Cost of Helicobacter pylori infection treatment:
幽门螺杆菌感染
The total cost of a standardized 14-day high-dose dual therapy is only a few hundred yuan, which is much lower than similar treatment options overseas.
Efficacy:
The first-line regimen recommended by the latest domestic consensus in 2026 achieves an initial eradication rate of over 90%, with few adverse reactions and high medication adherence.
Cost of MSI-H/dMMR locally advanced colon cancer:
MSI-H/dMMR局部进展期结肠癌
The total cost of neoadjuvant short-course double-checkpoint immunotherapy is only 1/10 of that of overseas postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy, eliminating the need for high long-term treatment expenses.
Efficacy: The 3-year disease-free survival rate can reach 100%, which is significantly better than traditional postoperative chemotherapy regimens, and can also significantly reduce the risk of long-term recurrence.
Cost of complex cataract surgery:
复杂性白内障
The total cost of femtosecond laser combined with personalized intraocular lens implantation is only 1/5 of similar surgeries in Europe and the United States.
Efficacy:
Top domestic experts perform over 10,000 surgeries annually, achieving simultaneous correction of presbyopia and myopia post-surgery, ensuring clear vision across distances, and accommodating patients with various complex ocular conditions.
Cost of routine cardiovascular and cerebrovascular surgeries:
心脑血管常规手术
The total cost of a heart bypass surgery is approximately 150,000 to 200,000 RMB, which is only 1/10 of similar surgeries in the United States. The cost of routine heart examinations is only about 1% of that in the United States.
Efficacy:
Domestic major hospitals have a huge annual surgical volume, rich clinical experience, and surgical success rates that are at the top international level, without the need for long waiting queues.
Common cost situation of chronic pain in bones and joints:
常见骨关节慢性疼痛
The single cost of traditional Chinese medicine treatments such as acupuncture and moxibustion and tuina is only tens to hundreds of yuan, and several courses can effectively alleviate symptoms.
Efficacy:
This therapy is effective quickly for conditions such as cervical and lumbar vertebral diseases and muscle strain, with no drug side effects. It is a highly recognized, low-cost, and efficient therapy among overseas patients.
Functional gastrointestinal disorder cost situation:
功能性胃肠病
Relying on the mature diagnosis and treatment system of domestic gastroenterology, the total cost of a full set of gastrointestinal motility examination + individualized medication plan is only 1/4 of similar diagnosis and treatment in Europe and America.
Efficacy: For conditions such as refractory gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, a treatment plan can be devised through precise examinations like high-resolution esophageal manometry. The symptom relief rate is significantly higher than that achieved through conventional empirical treatments overseas.
Cost situation of chronic hepatitis B:
慢性乙型肝炎
Domestic antiviral drugs for hepatitis B have been included in centralized bulk procurement, with an average monthly drug cost as low as ten yuan, and the cost of long-term follow-up examinations is only 1/10 of that overseas.
Efficacy: With a vast management system for patients with chronic hepatitis B in China, long-term viral suppression can be achieved, significantly reducing the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The cost of basic dental care in China:
普通口腔基础诊疗
The total cost of routine dental fillings, root canal treatment, and basic periodontal treatment is only one-third of that in European and American countries, without the need for long appointment waiting times.
Efficacy: Domestic dental institutions have standardized diagnosis and treatment processes, with a wide range of material options, enabling rapid completion of basic oral health maintenance for the entire mouth.
Cost of benign prostatic hyperplasia:
良性前列腺增生
The total cost of transurethral minimally invasive resection surgery is only 1/5 of similar surgeries in Europe and the United States. The postoperative hospitalization observation period is short, resulting in an extremely low overall expenditure.
Efficacy: The annual surgical volume in urology in China is huge, with mature technology, stable improvement in postoperative urinary function, and a low incidence of complications.
The cost of common ear, nose, and throat diseases such as allergic rhinitis:
过敏性鼻炎等常见耳鼻喉疾病
The full-cycle cost of standardized allergen screening and desensitization treatment is only 1/6 of that overseas, without the need for a long wait for specialist appointment slots.
Efficacy: It can quickly identify allergens, achieve long-term symptom control through a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, and significantly reduce the probability of recurrence.
The cost of common skin diseases such as chronic eczema/psoriasis:
慢性湿疹/银屑病等常见皮肤病
The total cost of a standardized topical medication + phototherapy regimen is only 1/4 of similar treatments in Europe and the United States, eliminating the need for long-term high-cost medication purchases.
Efficacy: With rich clinical experience in dermatology in China, the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine can quickly control skin lesions and reduce the frequency of recurrence.
The cost of common minimally invasive ear, nose, and throat surgeries such as vocal cord polyps:
声带息肉等常见耳鼻喉微创手术
The total cost of polyp removal surgery under a laryngoscope is only 1/5 of similar surgeries in Europe and the United States, with a short postoperative recovery period.
Efficacy: The annual volume of ear, nose, and throat surgeries in China is extremely high, with stable recovery of voice function post-surgery and a very low incidence of complications.
Cost situation of basic chronic disease management for type 2 diabetes:
2型糖尿病基础慢病管理
After centralized procurement, the average monthly cost of hypoglycemic drugs is only tens of yuan, and the overall cost of supporting blood glucose monitoring and complication screening is much lower than that overseas.
Efficacy: The mature chronic disease management system in China can assist patients in maintaining long-term stable blood sugar control and delay the occurrence of various complications.
The cost of common fracture reduction and fixation surgery:
普通骨折复位固定手术
The total cost of reduction and internal fixation surgery for conventional limb fractures is only 1/6 of similar surgeries in Europe and the United States, without the need for long waiting queues.
Efficacy: The domestic orthopedic emergency response is fast, with comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation guidance, resulting in good recovery of limb function.
Cost of refractive error (myopia) correction:
屈光不正（近视）矫正
The total cost of the full-femtosecond laser myopia surgery is only one-third of similar surgeries in Europe and the United States, with comprehensive preoperative examination items.
Efficacy: The annual volume of ophthalmic surgeries in China is substantial, with high surgical precision and stable postoperative visual recovery outcomes.
Representative projects for orthopedic-related diseases:
hip/knee replacement, minimally invasive spine surgery, sports injury repair.
代表项目：髋关节/膝关节置换、脊柱微创手术、运动损伤修复
Cost-effectiveness advantage:
Similar surgeries in Europe and the United States require waiting for more than half a year and incur out-of-pocket expenses exceeding $40,000. The full-process cost in China is only one-fifth of that, and postoperative rehabilitation is well-equipped.
Representative projects for ophthalmic diseases:
complex cataract surgery, full femtosecond refractive correction.
代表项目：复杂性白内障手术、全飞秒屈光矫正
Cost-effective advantage: domestic top experts perform over 100,000 surgeries annually, leading the world in technology, with a surgical recurrence rate far lower than the overseas average, and the cost is only 1/10 of that in Europe and America.
Representative dental diagnosis and treatment projects:
dental implants, orthodontics, and full-mouth restoration.
代表项目：种植牙、牙齿正畸、全口修复
Cost-effective advantage:
The cost of a single dental implant in Europe and the United States exceeds $3,000, while the cost of diagnosis and treatment of the same quality in China is only one-third of that, without the need for lengthy appointment waiting.
Representative projects of digestive endoscopy-related examination and treatment:
painless gastroscopy, early gastrointestinal cancer screening and minimally invasive resection.
代表项目：无痛胃肠镜、消化道早癌筛查与微创切除
Cost-effective advantage:
In Europe and America, booking a gastroscopy appointment requires waiting for several months, while in China, the examination can be completed on the same day, with a cost only 1/5 of that overseas. Additionally, it can simultaneously detect early hidden lesions.
Representative projects of tumor-related characteristic treatments:
BNCT boron neutron capture therapy, CAR-T cell therapy.
代表项目：BNCT硼中子治疗、CAR-T细胞治疗
Cost-effectiveness advantage:
Some cutting-edge therapies are only available in a few special zones in China, with costs only being 1/3-1/5 of those in the United States, eliminating the need to travel to multiple countries for treatment.
Representative projects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ：
chronic disease rehabilitation programs include acupuncture and moxibustion, bone and joint chronic disease conditioning, and post-operative TCM rehabilitation.
代表项目：针灸推拿、骨关节慢病调理、术后中医康养
Cost-effective advantage: Similar TCM services overseas are expensive, while domestically, one-stop experiences of authentic non-pharmacological TCM therapies are available, catering to the long-term rehabilitation needs of overseas patients with chronic diseases.
The following are the diseases with the lowest treatment costs in China:
Common mild conditions，such as：
the common cold, acute gastroenteritis, mild skin allergies, and mild sprains (普通感冒、急性肠胃炎、轻度皮肤过敏、轻度扭伤等) typically cost a few hundred yuan for standardized treatment, which is far lower than similar diagnostic and treatment costs in European and American countries.
For specific diseases covered by the state, such as：
tuberculosis and AIDS (肺结核、艾滋病等法定传染病), which are statutory infectious diseases, patients can receive basic treatment drugs free of charge at designated institutions and enjoy reductions or exemptions for core examination items, with only a small amount of non-basic item expenses to be borne.
Patients with basic severe mental disorders (严重精神障碍患者)：
can receive basic antipsychotic drugs listed in the catalogue for free at designated institutions, accompanied by free community follow-up management, resulting in an extremely low overall treatment cost.
Early-detected low-complexity tumors, such as：
early-stage thyroid cancer and early-stage breast cancer (早期甲状腺癌、早期乳腺癌等), only require minimally invasive surgical removal, with no additional postoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy required. The total cost is only tens of thousands of yuan, far lower than similar treatments abroad.
Conventional suitable techniques of traditional Chinese medicine are suitable for conditions such as：
chronic pain, migraine, and allergic rhinitis, (慢性疼痛、偏头痛、过敏性鼻炎等) , which can be effectively intervened through non-pharmacological therapies such as acupuncture and moxibustion. The cost of a single diagnosis and treatment is only tens to hundreds of yuan, offering an extremely high cost-effectiveness ratio.
According to statistics, the common types of diseases among foreigners seeking medical treatment in China primarily fall into the following categories:
I. Complex and Severe Cases
Tumor-related diseases: China has mature technology in areas such as targeted therapy and proton therapy for tumors, with costs significantly lower than those in developed countries, attracting a large number of foreign patients for treatment.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Chinese doctors, with their extensive accumulation of clinical cases, possess remarkable expertise in complex cardiovascular surgeries and the treatment of neurological disorders, demonstrating outstanding advantages.
II. Specialized Traditional Chinese Medicine Category
"Acupuncture and moxibustion" must be translated as "acupuncture and moxibustion."
For neck and lumbar spine osteoarticular pain: Acupuncture, massage, and other traditional Chinese medicine therapies are highly effective for chronic pain of this type and are favored by patients in neighboring countries such as Russia and Southeast Asia.
Metabolic syndrome-related conditions: For symptoms such as hand and foot numbness, coldness, insomnia, and endocrine disorders, the holistic TCM diagnostic and treatment approach has gained recognition among many foreign patients.
III. Specialized Advantages
Rare Blood Disorders: Several newly approved treatment drugs in China have attracted patients with refractory and relapsed hematologic malignancies, such as multiple myeloma, from abroad to seek medical care in the country.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Diseases: Domestic hospitals employ minimally invasive oral diagnostic and treatment techniques, enabling one-time completion of surgeries such as complex impacted teeth and jawbone cysts, with significantly higher efficiency compared to overseas standards.
根据统计，外国人来华就诊的常见疾病类型主要集中在以下几类：
一、疑难重症类
肿瘤相关疾病：中国在肿瘤靶向治疗、质子治疗等领域技术成熟且费用远低于发达国家，吸引大量外籍患者前来就诊。
心脑血管疾病：国内医生凭借庞大的临床病例积累，在复杂心血管手术、神经类疑难病症处理上经验丰富，优势突出。
二、特色中医类
颈腰椎等骨关节疼痛：针灸、推拿等中医特色疗法对这类慢性疼痛疗效显著，深受俄罗斯、东南亚等周边国家患者青睐。
代谢综合征类病症：针对手足麻凉、失眠、内分泌失调等症状，中医的整体辨证调理方案受到不少外籍患者认可。
三、专科优势类
血液系统罕见病：国内获批的多款新型治疗药物，吸引了国外复发难治性多发性骨髓瘤等血液病患者专程来华就医。
口腔颌面外科病症：国内医院的微创口腔诊疗技术，可一次性完成复杂阻生齿、颌骨囊肿等手术，效率远高于海外。
According to statistics, the most common examinations performed by foreign patients in China mainly fall into the following categories:
I. Imaging examinations
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
In China, the waiting time for appointments is short, and the cost is only about one-tenth that of European and American countries. Many foreign patients travel specifically to China for this examination, and reports can be issued on the same day in some regions.
CT Scan:
In European and American countries, appointments often require waiting for several weeks, whereas in China, a full CT scan can be completed the next day after arrival, making it a frequent choice for foreign patients seeking medical care.
II. Digestive Endoscopy
Painless Gastrointestinal Endoscopy:
In countries like the UK, the waiting time for this examination can extend to several months. In China, most foreign-affiliated hospitals offer same-day appointments, completion, and results, making it one of the most frequently chosen diagnostic procedures for international patients.
III. Routine Physical Examination Items
Comprehensive Basic Physical Examination:
Includes height and weight measurements, blood pressure checks, blood screenings, chest X-rays, and other items. The total cost is only a fraction of that at private medical institutions in Europe and America, making it a popular additional option for many tourists visiting China.
IV. Specialized Supporting Examinations
Dental Imaging Examinations:
As one of the "three new essentials" for medical treatment in China, dental panoramic radiographs and oral CT scans are mandatory procedures for foreign patients before receiving dental treatments.
Ophthalmology Specialized Examinations:
The proportion of foreign patients undergoing various specialized ophthalmology examinations, such as fundus examinations and refraction tests, continues to rise in response to the demand for ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment.
根据统计，外籍患者在华做的最多的检查主要有以下几类：
一、影像类检查
核磁共振（MRI）：国内预约等待时间短、价格仅为欧美国家的1/10左右，不少外籍患者专程来华完成该检查，部分地区当天即可出报告。
CT检查：欧美国家预约常需等待数周，来华后次日即可完成全套CT检查，是外籍患者就医的高频选择。
二、消化内镜检查
无痛胃肠镜：在英国等国家该检查预约等待时间长达数月，国内多数涉外医院可实现当日预约、当日完成并出结果，是外籍患者选择最多的检查项目之一。
三、常规体检类项目
全套基础体检：包含身高体重、血压、血液筛查、胸部X光等项目，整体花费仅为欧美私人医疗机构的几分之一，是不少来华游客的附加选择。
四、专科配套检查
牙科影像检查：作为来华就医“新三件套”之一，牙科全景片、口腔CT等检查，是外籍患者接受牙科诊疗前的必做项目。
眼科专项检查：配合眼科诊疗需求，各类眼底检查、验光等眼科专项检查的外籍就诊占比持续提升。
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