Strengthening Neuro-Oncology Training in China: Current Status and Opportunities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71204/nzsvax57Keywords:
Neuro-Oncology, Medical Education, Fellowship Training, Multidisciplinary CareAbstract
This review examines the current status and future opportunities for strengthening neuro-oncology training in China. With the rising burden of gliomas, brain metastases, and other central nervous system tumors, there is an urgent need to cultivate specialized clinicians capable of addressing the complexity of modern neuro-oncological care. However, existing training models in China, primarily rooted in general neurosurgery, are insufficient for preparing physicians for the interdisciplinary demands of neuro-oncology, which span neurology, oncology, radiation therapy, and molecular pathology. Drawing on established frameworks from the United States and Europe, the review proposes a China-specific roadmap that includes launching standardized fellowship programs, developing competency-based curricula, and integrating training with clinical research platforms. It also highlights the potential of continuing education, online learning, and international collaborations to supplement formal training and address regional disparities. Emphasis is placed on establishing accredited national trial hubs, promoting translational research, and creating“train-the-trainer”mechanisms to build local faculty capacity. By implementing these strategies, China can not only improve patient outcomes but also emerge as a global contributor to precision neuro-oncology.
References
Aquilanti, E., & Wen, P. Y. (2023). Advanced molecular diagnostic tools: A step closer to precision medicine in neuro-oncology. Neuro-Oncology, 25, 1750. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noad132
Berg, F., Andujar, A., Chatman, G., Rodríguez-Galindo, C., Qaddoumi, I., & Moreira, D. C. (2025). Online outcomes of a pediatric neuro-oncology course for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Cancer Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-025-02681-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-025-02681-4
De Swart, M. E., Kouwenhoven, M. C. M., Hellingman, T., Kuiper, B. I., Gorter de Vries, C., Leembruggen-Vellinga, M., et al. (2021). A multidisciplinary neuro-oncological triage panel reduces the time to referral and treatment for patients with a brain tumor. Neuro-Oncology Practice, 8, 559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nop/npab040
Di Bonaventura, R., Aiudi, D., Chiesa, S., Pellerino, A., Bruno, F., Internò, V., et al. (2025). Education paths in neuro-oncology: Combining technical skills with multidisciplinary care. A survey from the AINO (Italian Association for Neuro-Oncology) Youngster Committee. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 173, 469–477. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-025-05003-2
Ding, L. X., & Wang, Y. X. (2011). Increasing incidence of brain and nervous tumours in urban Shanghai, China, 1983–2007. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 12, 3319–3322.
Frank, J. R., Snell, L. S., Ten Cate, O., Holmboe, E. S., Carraccio, C., Swing, S. R., et al. (2010). Competency-based medical education: Theory to practice. Medical Teacher, 32, 638–645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.501190
Gao, P., Guan, L., Liu, Y., Liu, F., Yu, W., Li, X., et al. (2020). Cultivating global health professionals: Evaluation of a training course to develop international consulting service competence in China. Global Health Journal, 4, 51–56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glohj.2020.01.003
Gao, P., Xiang, H., Liu, S., Liu, Y., Dong, S., Liu, F., et al. (2018). Evaluation of a consulting training course for international development assistance for health. BMC Medical Education, 18, 234. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1339-3
Ge, J. J., Li, C., Xue, F.-J., Qi, S.-P., Zhao, C., Kong, C.-C., et al. (2024). EPID-38. Global disparities and projections in pediatric brain and CNS cancers: A comprehensive analysis through 2050. Neuro-Oncology, 26, 146. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noae165.0574
Goldbrunner, R., Stavrinou, P., Jenkinson, M. D., Sahm, F., Mawrin, C., Weber, D. C., et al. (2021). EANO guideline on the diagnosis and management of meningiomas. Neuro-Oncology, 23, 1821–1834. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noab150
Gonzalez Castro, L. N., Forst, D. A., Plotkin, S. R., & Lee, E. Q. (2022). A practical guide to neuro-oncology fellowship. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 156, 73–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-021-03897-2
Guru, S., Lam, F. C., Akhavan-Sigari, A., Hori, Y. S., AbuReesh, D., Tayag, A., et al. (2024). “Beyond the knife”—Applying theranostic technologies to enhance outcomes in neurosurgical oncology. Brain Sciences, 14, 1253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14121253
Han, B., Zheng, R., Zeng, H., Wang, S., Sun, K., Chen, R., et al. (2024). Cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2022. Journal of the National Cancer Center, 4, 47–53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jncc.2024.01.006
Hayse, L. (2025). Evaluation of adult neuro-oncology fellowship webpages, including associated GME sites (P4-5.002). Neurology, 104, 3674. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000211165
Jensen, R., O’Rourke, D., Warnick, R., & Sawaya, R. (2006). Resident training in neurosurgical oncology: Results of the survey of North American training programs by the AANS/CNS Section on Tumors. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 77, 241–246. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-005-9043-7
Kandi, V., & Vadakedath, S. (2023). Clinical trials and clinical research: A comprehensive review. Cureus, 15, e35077. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.35077
Khalafallah, A. M., Jimenez, A. E., Romo, C. G., Kamson, D. O., Kleinberg, L., Weingart, J., et al. (2021). Quantifying the utility of a multidisciplinary neuro-oncology tumor board. Journal of Neurosurgery, 135, 87–92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.5.JNS201299
Kim, Y., Armstrong, T. S., Gilbert, M. R., & Celiku, O. (2025). Disparities in the availability of and access to neuro-oncology trial-supporting infrastructure in the United States. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 117, 511–516. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djae240
Kreye, G., Lundeby, T., Latino, N., Galotti, M., & Kaasa, S. (2022). ESMO designated centres of integrated oncology and palliative care (ESMO DCs): Education, research and programme development survey. ESMO Open, 7, 100622. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100622
Limoges, N., D’Agostino, E., Gelinne, A., Maher, C. O., Scott, R. M., Grant, G., et al. (2020). Pediatric neurosurgery training during residency in the United States: A program director survey. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 26, 6–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3171/2020.1.PEDS19662
Liu, A. P. Y., Sun, C., & Qaddoumi, I. (2023). Landscape of pediatric neuro-oncology care in China. Pediatric Medicine, 6, 22–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21037/pm-22-45
Louis, D. N., Perry, A., Wesseling, P., Brat, D. J., Cree, I. A., Figarella-Branger, D., et al. (2021). The 2021 WHO classification of tumors of the central nervous system: A summary. Neuro-Oncology, 23, 1231–1251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noab106
Lu-Emerson, C., Chowdhary, S., Kotecha, R., Sharma, A., Odia, Y., Vaillant, B., et al. (2025). A pilot survey into the landscape of neuro-oncology care in the community. The Oncologist, 30, 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oncolo/oyaf047
Malbari, F., Partap, S., Gust, J., Duke, E., Sato, A., Khakoo, Y., et al. (2020). Neuro-oncology training for the child neurology resident. Journal of Child Neurology, 36, 79–86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073820955101
Mäurer, M. A., Mäurer, I., & Kamp, M. A. (2022). Can neuro-oncology teaching contribute to educate medical doctors better? A reflection on the value of neuro-oncology for student teaching. Chinese Neurosurgical Journal, 8, 23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41016-022-00293-1
Mousavi, S. E., Seyedmirzaei, H., Shahrokhi Nejad, S., & Nejadghaderi, S. A. (2024). Epidemiology and socioeconomic correlates of brain and central nervous system cancers in Asia in 2020 and their projection to 2040. Scientific Reports, 14, 1–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73277-z
Ng, P. R., Yearley, A. G., Eatz, T. A., Ajmera, S., West, T., Razak, S. S., et al. (2023). Neurological surgery residency programs in the United States: A national cross-sectional survey. Neurosurgery, 94. https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.0000000000002703 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1227/neu.0000000000002703
Pillay, B., Wootten, A. C., Crowe, H., Corcoran, N., Tran, B., Bowden, P., et al. (2016). The impact of multidisciplinary team meetings on patient assessment, management and outcomes in oncology settings: A systematic review of the literature. Cancer Treatment Reviews, 42, 56–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctrv.2015.11.007
Shakir, M., Khowaja, A. H., Shariq, S. F., Irshad, H. A., Tahir, I., Rae, A. I., et al. (2024a). Workforce challenges for the neurosurgical care of brain tumors in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. World Neurosurgery, 189, 387–398. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.06.098
Shakir, M., Shariq, S. F., Irshad, H. A., Khowaja, A. H., Tahir, I., Rae, A. I., et al. (2024b). Barriers to neurosurgical care of brain tumors in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of the service delivery challenges. World Neurosurgery, 187, 211–222. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.044
Sherman, L., Kuang, M., Yang, D. Y. D., & Chappell, K. (2024). An overview of continuing medical education/continuing professional development systems in China: A mixed methods assessment. Journal of CME, 13, 2363855. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/28338073.2024.2363855
Stupp, R., Mason, W. P., van den Bent, M. J., Weller, M., Fisher, B., Taphoorn, M. J. B., et al. (2005). Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. The New England Journal of Medicine, 352, 987–996. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa043330
Su, B., Zhang, T., Yan, L., Huang, C., Cheng, X., Cai, C., et al. (2021). Online medical teaching in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: Tools, modalities, and challenges. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 797694. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.797694
Valvi, S., Dun, M. D., & Hansford, J. R. (2023). National brain tumour registry: A new era of research collaboration with China. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 34, 100739. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100739
Wang, J., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Training neurosurgeons in China. The Lancet Neurology, 19, 971–972. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30400-2
Wang, P., Wu, Z., Zhang, J., He, Y., Jiang, M., Zheng, J., et al. (2025). Distance learning during the COVID-19 lockdown and self-assessed competency development among radiology residents in China: Cross-sectional survey. JMIR Medical Education, 11, e54228. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/54228
Wang, Z. Y., Zhang, L. J., Liu, Y. H., Jiang, W. X., Jia, J. Y., Tang, S. L., et al. (2021). The effectiveness of e-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: A quasi-experiment from China. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 10, 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-021-00855-y
Weller, M., van den Bent, M., Preusser, M., Le Rhun, E., Tonn, J. C., Minniti, G., et al. (2021). EANO guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of diffuse gliomas of adulthood. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 18, 170–186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41571-020-00447-z
Weller, M., van den Bent, M., Tonn, J. C., Stupp, R., Preusser, M., Cohen-Jonathan-Moyal, E., et al. (2017). European Association for Neuro-Oncology (EANO) guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of adult astrocytic and oligodendroglial gliomas. The Lancet Oncology, 18, 315–329. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(17)30194-8
Wen, P. Y., & Kesari, S. (2008). Malignant gliomas in adults. The New England Journal of Medicine, 359, 492–507. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra0708126
Wu, A., Wu, J. Y., & Lim, M. (2022). Updates in intraoperative strategies for enhancing intra-axial brain tumor control. Neuro-Oncology, 24(Suppl 7), S33–S41. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noac170
Xiao, D., Yan, C., Li, D., Xi, T., Liu, X., Zhu, D., et al. (2023). National Brain Tumour Registry of China (NBTRC) statistical report of primary brain tumours diagnosed in China in years 2019-2020. The Lancet Regional Health-Western Pacific, 34, 100715. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100715
Xu, T., Evins, A. I., Lin, N., Chang, J., Hu, G., Hou, L., et al. (2016). Neurosurgical postgraduate training in China: Moving toward a national training standard. World Neurosurgery, 96, 410–416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2016.09.034
Yu, X., Chen, Y., & Podolsky, S. H. (2025). The history of controlled clinical trials in China. Part 2: From the advent of large-scale multicentre randomised controlled trials through contemporary self-reflection. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/01410768251347259 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01410768251347259
Zhang, L., Jia, W., Ji, N., Li, D., & Xiao, D. (2020). Establishment of the national brain tumor registry of China. Journal of Global Oncology, 2020, 47–48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JGO.19.00346
Zhang, Y. W., & Li, A. W. (2025). Understanding Chinese early-career neurosurgeons’ professional identity construction as clinician-researchers. World Neurosurgery, 195, 123645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2024.123645
Zhao, Z., Zhang, K. N., Wang, Q., Li, G., Zeng, F., Zhang, Y., et al. (2021). Chinese glioma genome atlas (CGGA): A comprehensive resource with functional genomic data from Chinese glioma patients. Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics, 19, 1–12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gpb.2020.10.005
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Xinjie Hong, Zhenyu Gong, Hongxiang Wang (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in this journal are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are properly credited. Authors retain copyright of their work, and readers are free to copy, share, adapt, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as appropriate attribution is given.
