New Option for Colorectal Cancer Patients: Radical NOSES Surgery – Surgery Today, Discharge Tomorrow

New Option for Colorectal Cancer Patients: Radical NOSES Surgery – Surgery Today, Discharge Tomorrow

Director Chen Hongbing's Team, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wuwei Cancer Hospital

The incidence of digestive tract tumors remains persistently high. With continuous improvements in living standards, the incidence of colorectal cancer has risen to become the second most common cancer worldwide. Notably, treatment outcomes for digestive tract tumors generally correlate with their anatomical location—better prognosis is observed in lower gastrointestinal cancers. Specifically, colorectal cancer demonstrates superior treatment efficacy compared to upper gastrointestinal cancers such as gastric and esophageal cancer.

When detected and treated early, 98% of colorectal cancers can be cured.​​

Surgical resection remains the first-line treatment. Among surgical options, laparoscopic or robotic-assisted radical resection represents the most minimally invasive approach - often referred to as "minimally invasive within minimally invasive surgery." This technique leaves virtually no visible scars on the abdominal wall, causes minimal surgical trauma, has the least impact on immune function and psychological well-being, and achieves optimal therapeutic outcomes. As the most ideal surgical method, it has been increasingly preferred by patients.

Today, the majority of patients now directly seek hospitals and surgeons specializing in NOSES (Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction Surgery) procedures, specifically requesting experienced experts to perform scarless colorectal cancer resections.

Our department, as a provincial key specialty, pioneered radical NOSES surgery for colorectal cancer in our province in June 2011. Over the past 13+ years, we have successfully performed over 1,000 cases, accumulating extensive surgical expertise that has continuously refined and perfected our NOSES techniques.​​

We have completed 5 related research projects, achieving:

• 1 Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (Third Prize)
• 2 Municipal Science and Technology Progress Awards (Second Prize)
• 1 Project funded by the National Health Commission's Health Science and Technology Development Research Center
• 1 Key R&D Project on Robotic-Assisted Radical NOSES Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Additionally, we have published 16 peer-reviewed papers on this subject.

For patients with colorectal cancer who meet the indications for NOSES surgery, radical NOSES is recommended as the preferred treatment option. Based on your needs, we can achieve surgery today and discharge tomorrow—facilitating early diagnosis, prompt surgery, early return home, and accelerated recovery.

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery​​

The Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery is a provincial key specialty in Gansu Province and serves as a demonstration center for scarless laparoscopic and robotic radical NOSES (Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction Surgery) for gastric and colorectal cancers. Located in the Heavy Ion Hospital of Wuwei Academy of Medical and Science Cancer Hospital, the department focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors.

Our clinical expertise includes:

• Standardized D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer
• Standardized D3 radical resection for colorectal cancer
• Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy (standardized)
• Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted D3 radical resection for colorectal cancer (standardized)
• Neoadjuvant therapy, conversion therapy, and adjuvant therapy before and after surgery
• Comprehensive treatment for advanced tumors, including immunotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and multidisciplinary treatment (MDT)

These advanced approaches have significantly improved the 5-year cure rate and survival rate of tumor patients.

The department also performs extended combined organ resections and complex major tumor surgeries, which have notably enhanced its reputation and academic standing.

Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery – Professional Profile​​

Our department comprises:

• ​​1 Chief Physician​​: Department Director Chen Hongbing (Second-Level Chief Physician in General Surgery)
• ​​1 Associate Chief Physician​​
• ​​2 Master's Degree Holders​​
• ​​4 Attending Physicians & Resident Physicians​​

All faculty members have undergone advanced training in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Zhejiang, Fujian, Xi'an, and other leading medical centers, developing expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors. With strong research capabilities, precise surgical techniques, and standardized treatment protocols, we ensure optimal management of gastrointestinal cancers.

​​Pioneering Surgical Achievements​​

• ​​Since February 2023​​, we became the ​​first municipal hospital in Gansu Province​​ to perform ​​robot-assisted D2 radical gastrectomy​​ and ​​D3 radical resection for colorectal cancer​​.
• ​​Nationally​​, we pioneered ​​domestically produced robotic D3 radical NOSES surgery for colorectal cancer​​, enabling patients to access cutting-edge treatment locally without travel.

These advancements have ​​elevated our department's clinical standards​​ to a new level, establishing us as:

• A ​​provincial leader​​ in laparoscopic and robotic gastrointestinal tumor surgery
• One of the ​​first institutions in China​​ to implement scarless laparoscopic and robotic NOSES procedures for colorectal cancer

​​Academic & Research Excellence​​

Our department has published ​​over 50 papers​​ and completed ​​7 provincial/municipal research projects​​, securing:

• ​​1 First Prize​​ (Municipal Science & Technology Progress Award)
• ​​3 Second Prizes​​ (Municipal Level)
• ​​2 Third Prizes​​ (Provincial Level)

Key accomplishments include:

• ​​2 Medical Monographs​​
• ​​1 National Health Commission Research Project​​ (Completed in 2022 with ¥100,000 funding)
• ​​Current Project​​: Clinical Application of Domestic Tumai Robotic System for NOSES Surgery in Colorectal Cancer (Municipal Key R&D Project, ¥100,000 funding)

Chen Hongbing, MD​​
Director, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Wuwei Academy of Medical and Science Cancer Hospital, Gansu Province
Second-Level Chief Physician (Provincial Senior Title)

​​Professional Leadership​

• Provincial Key Discipline Leader
• Concurrently serves as Director of Medical Affairs Department
• Member, Gansu Provincial General Surgery Quality Control Center Expert Panel
• Recipient, Gansu Provincial High-Level Professional Technical Talent Allowance
• Deputy Director, Colorectal Cancer Committee, Gansu Anti-Cancer Association
• Vice President, Gansu Branch of Chinese Alliance for MDT in Colorectal Cancer
• Executive Director, Chinese Anal Preservation Alliance for Rectal Cancer
• Deputy Director, Longyuan Gastroenterology Alliance, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Oncology-Gastroenterology Committee
• Vice President, First Gansu Provincial Physicians Association Oncology Branch
• Standing Committee Member, Colorectal Cancer Committee, Gansu Alliance for Cancer Prevention & Control (Chinese Anti-Cancer Association)
• Deputy Director, Medical Robotics Branch, Gansu Physicians Association
• Committee Member, Weight Loss & Metabolic Disorders Branch, Gansu Physicians Association
• Deputy Director, General Surgery Committee, Wuwei Medical Association

​​Clinical Expertise​​

• Standardized D2 radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer
• Standardized D3 radical resection for colorectal cancer
• ​​Pioneer in Gansu Province​​ (12+ years experience):

​​Academic Achievements​​

• Completed 6 research projects
• Awards:
• ​​2022​​: Completed National Health Commission research project
• ​​2023​​: Principal Investigator, Wuwei Municipal Key R&D Program