China's Top Departments: Urology at Huashan Hospital, Fudan University

If you're facing kidney cancer, a complex adrenal tumor, prostate disease, or need a kidney transplant, the Department of Urology at Huashan Hospital is one of China's most established and respected centers. Founded in 1955, it is one of the earliest specialized urology departments in China, a National Key Discipline of the Ministry of Education, and a National Clinical Key Specialty recognized by the National Health Commission.

The department operates 101 open beds with 29 board-certified physicians — including 8 professors/chief physicians and 11 associate professors — of whom over 80% hold doctoral degrees. It serves as the base for the Fudan University Institute of Urology and a postdoctoral research station.

At Medora, we've helped international patients access Huashan's urology team for conditions ranging from kidney cancer and adrenal tumors to complex kidney stones. Here's what you need to know.

Academic Leaders

Prof. Zhang Yuanfang — Former President of Huashan Hospital and a founding figure of Chinese urology. With over 50 years of clinical and research experience, he served as Vice Chairman of the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) Urology Branch and Chairman of the Shanghai Urological Society. Recipient of the 1987 National Science & Technology Progress Award (First Prize) and the 2011 CMA Urology Outstanding Contribution Award.

Prof. Ding Qiang — Current President of Huashan Hospital. Standing Committee Member of the CMA Urology Branch and Chairman of the Shanghai Urological Society. A pioneering surgeon in radical prostatectomy, bladder surgery, laparoscopy, and kidney transplantation. Recipient of the State Council Special Government Allowance.

Prof. Shen Zhoujun — Current Chair of the Department; Assistant to the President of Huashan Hospital. A Shanghai Leading Talent ranked among China's Top 10 Urologic Oncology Experts (2012–2014). One of China's first-generation robotic surgery specialists and co-author of China's first textbook on Robotic Urologic Surgery.

Core Clinical Strengths

1. Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery

Equipped with the advanced da Vinci Si Surgical System, the department achieves world-leading outcomes in:

• Robot-assisted, artery-clamping-free nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors
• Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for high-risk and elderly patients
• Robot-assisted high-risk adrenal tumor resection
• Robot-assisted nephrolithotomy for complex kidney stones
• Robot-assisted radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder (nationally advanced)

What this means for you: Robot-assisted surgery translates into smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery, and better preservation of healthy tissue — critical when treating kidney tumors or delicate pelvic structures.

2. Adrenal Tumor Diagnosis & Minimally Invasive Surgery

A multidisciplinary team (MDT) integrating endocrinology, radiology, and cardiology enables precise diagnosis of adrenal adenomas as small as 0.5 cm. The department performs adrenal vein sampling (AVS) and has completed hundreds of adrenal surgeries, including rare retrocaval giant pheochromocytoma resections.

3. Urologic Oncology — Comprehensive Care

• Renal Cancer: Early diagnosis via serum biomarkers, laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (preserving renal function), combined targeted therapy for advanced stages
• Bladder Cancer: Pioneering photodynamic therapy and laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction
• Prostate Cancer: Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with individualized multimodal treatment

4. Minimally Invasive Stone Management

The department established China's first urinary stone subspecialty in 2002. Expertise includes percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), with a success rate exceeding 95% and hundreds of procedures performed annually.

5. Kidney Transplantation — A National Pioneer

One of the earliest centers in China to perform allogeneic kidney transplantation and the first in Shanghai to perform pediatric kidney transplantation. A patient transplanted in 1977 remains alive with a functioning graft — the longest documented survival in China.

Nearly 800 kidney transplants have been performed in the past decade, with graft and patient survival rates reaching world-class levels. The department established one of Shanghai's first Organ Procurement Organizations (OPO), honored with the 2015 "Moving Huashan Award."

6. Other Specialties

Urinary control & pelvic floor reconstruction, prostate disease management, and male reproductive health & microsurgery.

Research Achievements

• 30 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants (including 1 key project) and 14 municipal research projects in the past 5 years
• Total research funding: over 23 million RMB
• 190+ SCI publications, 530+ core Chinese journal articles
• 2002: First-ever report of successful intact ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation in Nature
• 2012: First report of genetic characteristics of Chinese prostate cancer patients in Nature Genetics
• Two First Prizes of the Ministry of Education Science & Technology Progress Award

Rankings & Honors

• National Key Discipline (Ministry of Education)
• National Clinical Key Specialty (National Health Commission)
• Consistently listed in China Hospital Best Specialty Reputation Rankings
• Consistently in China Hospital Science & Technology Influence Top 10 for Urology
• Two Ministry of Education First Prizes for Science & Technology Progress

Visiting the Department

• Main Campus: No. 12 Wulumuqi Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai
• Pudong Campus: No. 525 Hongfeng Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
• Hospital Hotline: +86-21-52889999

If you are considering treatment for urologic cancer, kidney transplantation, or complex adrenal disease, Huashan's Department of Urology combines seven decades of heritage with cutting-edge robotic technology and China's most distinguished track record in transplant survival.