Wang Zhongmin, M.D., Ph.D.,

Chief Physician, Professor, and Doctoral Supervisor.

Currently serving as the Deputy Director of the Department of Interventional Radiology at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. He holds several key positions, including Vice President of the Interventional Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Deputy Director of the National Quality Control Center for Comprehensive Interventional Techniques, Vice Chair of the Interventional Radiology Group of the Chinese Medical Association Radiological Society, and Secretary-General of the Interventional Medicine Expert Committee of the National Health Commission’s Capacity Building and Continuing Education Center. He has been honored with titles such as “Outstanding Young and Middle-Aged Expert with Significant Contributions to National Health”, “Shanghai Health System Outstanding Academic Leader”, “Shanghai Outstanding Specialist Physician Award”, “Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Leading Talent”, and “Shanghai Craftsman”.

Dr. Wang Zhongmin and his team have accumulated extensive practical experience in the early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of common and high-incidence diseases, as well as in the imaging diagnosis and minimally invasive interventional therapy of complex, critical, and rare conditions. He pioneered the use of four-dimensional electromagnetic navigation and robotic AI-guided systems in China for simultaneous tumor biopsy and ablation therapy. He was also among the first in the country to adopt irreversible electroporation (nanoknife) ablation and radioactive seed implantation for early tumor diagnosis and comprehensive interventional treatment strategies. He has led the development of domestic and international expert consensus and guidelines on interventional diagnosis and therapy. Additionally, he spearheaded the development of a series of proprietary intraluminal radioactive stents and anticancer drug-eluting gastrointestinal stents, establishing a multidisciplinary interventional diagnosis and treatment system for complex airway obstruction diseases. Significant progress has also been made in interventional material research and 3D printing technology, with key findings published in top-tier international journals.

Dr. Wang has mentored nearly 20 postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D., and master’s students, as well as trained 82 interventional physicians. Under his leadership, his department has secured three consecutive rounds of key specialty development funding from the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission. He has participated in one national key R&D project, led four National Natural Science Foundation projects, and overseen more than 20 provincial and municipal research initiatives. His work has earned him seven national and provincial-level awards for scientific and technological progress, along with 10 invention and utility model patents. As the first or corresponding author, he has published over 160 papers in domestic and international core journals (including 60 SCI-indexed articles) and edited or co-edited 11 academic books. During his nearly eight years of medical aid missions to Xinjiang and Tibet, he established the first vascular interventional departments in Shihezi and Shigatse.

Specializations:

1. Minimally invasive interventional therapy for tumors, including lung cancer, primary or metastatic liver cancer, head and neck tumors, esophageal cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, adrenal tumors, ureteral tumors, bladder cancer, bone and soft tissue tumors, and metastatic lesions. Techniques include tumor ablation (nanoknife, radiofrequency, microwave, cryoablation), radioactive seed implantation(brachytherapy), perfusion chemotherapy, embolization therapy, and neurolytic therapy for advanced cancer pain.

2. Precision biopsy and minimally invasive ablation for pulmonary nodules (ground-glass nodules, solid nodules, mixed-density nodules); minimally invasive embolization therapy for hepatic hemangiomas, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

3. Endovascular minimally invasive interventional therapy for vascular diseases, including arterial stenosis/occlusion, aneurysms, arterial hemorrhage, dissections (abdominal aorta, renal artery, splenic artery, lower limb arteries, etc.); venous thrombolysis and filter placement, lower limb varicose veins; vascular malformations and hemangiomas; TIPS and embolization for cirrhotic portal hypertension; Budd-Chiari syndrome.

4. Stent placement for esophageal-tracheal fistulas, tracheal stenosis, esophageal cancer, biliary strictures, and intestinal obstruction; drainage therapy for obstructive jaundice and hydronephrosis; vertebroplasty for spinal metastatic tumors.

Preface

Time flows like a hymn—an ode to purpose and relentless pursuit. Within its melody, every life finds renewed meaning. In conversation with him, one senses an effortless candor, a comforting presence that radiates the very essence of healing.

 

Dr. Wang Zhongmin, Deputy Director of Interventional Radiology at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, Chief Physician, Vice President of the Interventional Physician Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Vice Chair of the Interventional Radiology Group of the Chinese Medical Association Radiological Society, embodies this spirit.

 

His decades-long journey unfolds like a serene yet dynamic force. At the helm of Ruijin Hospital’s interventional department, he has steered its growth with unwavering dedication. Countless days and nights have been spent bridging the operating room, emergency wards, and clinics—each case a testament to his devotion. Over thirty years, he has not only witnessed but actively shaped the rise of interventional medicine in China, standing at the forefront of its remarkable evolution.

 

His hands, deft with instruments, are instruments of salvation. With precision and insight, he unlocks doors to health, offering patients a rebirth. His brilliance and tenacity have turned countless interventions into triumphs, kindling hope where despair once lingered. In his eyes, one sees the quiet fire of a challenger—every procedure a battle against time and affliction, fought with resolve and grace to seize every chance at life.

 

He believes that while encounters and farewells define existence, a physician’s duty is to heal. Only by giving one’s all can the darkest paths lead to dawn. Like a sublime symphony, his journey of saving lives is scored with sweat yet resounds with beauty—a harmony of sacrifice and triumph.

The Genesis of an Interventionalist

As early as 1996, Dr. Wang Zhongmin found himself deeply drawn to interventional medicine. Fresh out of medical school, he embarked on a journey of relentless study, exploration, and practice—a journey that would define his career.

 

For many, the diagnosis of a serious illness, particularly cancer, evokes fear and uncertainty. Patients face invasive surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, often enduring profound physical and psychological suffering. Interventional medicine emerged as a beacon of hope, offering alternatives that could spare them such agony.

 

First proposed in 1967 by American radiologist Alexander Margulis, interventional medicine employs minimally invasive techniques. Using catheters, needles, and other tools, clinicians deliver targeted therapies directly to tumors or lesions—coagulating, shrinking, or deactivating them—all without conventional surgery.

 

In China, the field took root in the 1980s. Over three decades, it evolved into a distinct medical discipline, flourishing across specialties. Its advantages—minimal invasiveness, rapid recovery, and organ preservation—made it indispensable in oncology, cardiovascular diseases, hepatology, urology, and beyond.

 

Wang’s mentor, Professor Li Minghua, was a pioneer who shaped China’s interventional landscape. Renowned for his clinical and academic contributions, Li pursued a PhD at Sweden’s Lund University, completed postdoctoral research at the University of Milan in 1995, and later served as a visiting scholar at the University of Toronto. His decades of work in medical imaging and neurointervention left an indelible mark on the field—and on Wang himself.

 

“The early days were grueling,” Wang recalls. “With outdated equipment, achieving accurate diagnoses and treatments demanded relentless trial and error—dozens of cases just to master a technique. We started with basic contrast-based therapies, mostly for advanced liver cancer. Gradually, we adopted DSA-guided embolization with remarkable outcomes. Then came PTCD for obstructive jaundice, esophageal stents for strictures… each step was hard-won.”

 

DSA-guided embolization marked a milestone. Under X-ray guidance, catheters deliver therapeutic agents precisely to target vessels—a minimally invasive, high-efficacy approach with fewer side effects. Similarly, PTCD (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage) revolutionized biliary obstructions: a needle puncture through the liver enabled drainage, sparing patients open surgery and accelerating recovery.

 

“Shanghai lacked robust interventional platforms back then,” Wang reflects. “We were explorers in uncharted territory, advancing one cautious step at a time. But through iterative refinements and shared clinical wisdom, these techniques now serve countless patients.”

 Building Momentum: The Rise of Interventional Medicine

“I began my training at Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital in 1996, and our interventional department was officially established in 1998,” recalls Wang Zhongmin. “Back then, our department was like a newborn—frail but full of potential. The following decade demanded relentless effort as we laid the groundwork in clinical practice, education, and research. This perseverance paved the way for our systematic growth after 2015, and none of it would have been possible without the hospital’s support and our team’s dedication.”

In its early days, Ruijin Hospital’s interventional department operated with just six beds. Wang and his colleagues faced immense challenges—limited medical equipment, unrefined techniques, and inconsistent treatment outcomes—all of which weighed heavily on the team. Yet, rather than retreating, they embraced these difficulties with a deepened sense of responsibility toward their patients.

When confronting high-risk cases, the entire department would mobilize for urgent discussions, meticulously planning procedures, simulating surgical scenarios, and refining strategies to maximize safety and efficacy. This rigorous approach not only restored hope to patients but also earned Ruijin’s interventional team widespread acclaim.

Through years of perseverance, the department expanded from its humble beginnings to 40 beds, with an additional 12 beds added at the hospital’s northern branch due to increasing demand and technical advancements. Today, Ruijin’s interventional radiology department stands as a national leader, boasting a skilled team, cutting-edge equipment, and over 6,000 procedures annually. Among its advanced tools is the ICONO system, a world-class peripheral vascular navigation device that has revolutionized precision in interventions.

Wang firmly believes that collaboration and relentless effort can bring tangible hope to patients. To him, Ruijin’s interventional platform has evolved into a hub of multidisciplinary synergy, supporting surgeries across specialties—from orthopedics and gastroenterology to pulmonology and endocrine surgery.

“Our platform now assists numerous departments, including orthopedics, digestive, respiratory, and thyroid/breast surgery,” he says. “And I’m confident its potential is only beginning to unfold.”

No Regrets in Medicine: A Healer’s Heart

Wang Zhongmin’s days are a whirlwind of activity, yet amid the relentless pace, one principle remains unwavering: to think from the patient’s perspective and heal with compassion. Over the years, his team has restored health to countless lives—each case a testament to medicine’s profound humanity.

In 2022, a desperate pair of parents brought their 15-year-old daughter, Xiao Tao, to Ruijin Hospital. Standing at 150 cm but weighing a mere 20 kg, Xiao Tao had battled incontinentia pigmenti since infancy. Later, she developed segmental esophageal strictures with ulcers and multifocal intestinal ulcers, all linked to an autoimmune disorder. On March 27, her condition spiraled: a 39°C fever, relentless coughing, vomiting, and sudden respiratory distress forced her family to rush her to the hospital. The pediatric team, led by Dr. Xiao Yuan, acted without hesitation.

Dr. Yuan’s team implemented emergency measures—antibiotics, nil-by-mouth orders, IV nutrition, and nasogastric suction—to stabilize Xiao Tao. Yet her oxygen saturation plummeted unpredictably, heightening fears. Anesthesiologist Dr. Huang Yanhua sprinted to the ward, performing an emergent intubation to secure Xiao Tao’s airway with ventilator support. Though her oxygen levels rebounded, severe left lung infections and a newly discovered esophagotracheal fistula demanded immediate intervention.

Assembling a specialist team seemed impossible—yet over 20 experts, including Wang Zhongmin, converged virtually and in-person. They devised a tailored 3D-printed tracheal stent, as standard devices couldn’t accommodate pediatric anatomy. Guided by CT scans, interventional radiologists Ding Xiaoyi, Wang Zhongmin, and Huang Wei engineered the life-saving implant.

In the OR, Wang collaborated with surgeons Li Tiankuan, Tao Lei, and Li Lei to deploy the stent, successfully sealing the fistula. Days later, Xiao Tao weaned off the ventilator, but another challenge arose: she couldn’t eat orally. Wang returned to the operating table, placing a fluoroscopy-guided jejunal tube to establish critical enteral nutrition.

“Her weight doubled from 20 kg to 40 kg—now she’s back in school,” Wang shares, his smile betraying quiet pride. “As her surgeon, that’s all the reward I need.”

Advancing Medicine, Education, and Research in Tandem

Interventional medicine’s greatest strength lies in its minimally invasive approach, which shortens hospital stays, reduces side effects, and minimizes patient trauma. Today, an increasing number of patients prefer this treatment modality. At the same time, the field’s minimally invasive nature has spurred the development of new technologies, methods, and tools.

A 15-Year Journey in Innovation

“Fifteen years ago, we partnered with Professor Guo Shengrong’s team at Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s School of Pharmacy to develop drug-eluting esophageal stents,” Wang Zhongmin recalls. “Our goal was not just to mechanically expand the esophagus but also to deliver targeted medication. Over the past decade and a half, we’ve continuously refined the technology, explored novel treatments, and achieved significant breakthroughs.”

The memory of those early days remains vivid for Wang.

During the tracheal stent’s development, extensive animal trials were conducted to verify safety and efficacy. Initially, rabbits were used—100 of them. “The first stent placement took three hours,” Wang admits. “But through relentless optimization, we reduced the procedure to just five minutes per rabbit.”

Next came porcine trials, where an unexpected challenge emerged: stents kept migrating into the pigs’ stomachs. The team discovered that quadrupedal anatomy—requiring strong esophageal contractions to push food down—made stent retention difficult.

“We experimented tirelessly,” Wang explains. “By increasing the stent diameter from 2 cm to 3.5 cm and securing it to the nasal septum with sutures, we finally achieved stability.”

For Wang, R&D is a process of relentless refinement. Only through persistent experimentation did his team ultimately create highly safe and effective esophageal stents, transforming patient care and advancing the field.

Clinical Impact and Academic Recognition. The research not only elevated clinical practice but also propelled the team’s academic standing. Their work secured four National Natural Science Foundation grants and four Shanghai-funded projects, yielding numerous high-impact publications—some even cited by Nature.

“I hope these innovations will soon see widespread use, offering patients more precise and efficient treatments,” Wang says. His team has since expanded into tracheal, hepatobiliary, and vascular interventions, with multiple successful translational projects.

One pivotal improvement involved tracheal stent delivery. Traditionally, the procedure had to be completed within 15 seconds—without anesthesia—to avoid oxygen desaturation. “If we failed, the stent had to be removed and reinserted,” Wang notes.

But after redesigning the stent pusher with miniaturized components, the team enabled painless, oxygen-supported placements, even for 20-minute procedures, without compromising patient safety.

With these advancements, Wang emphasizes the need for nationwide standardization of best practices. He organizes annual training workshops to disseminate protocols, ensuring more patients benefit.

Pioneering NanoKnife-Immunotherapy Synergy. Wang’s team has also made strides in pancreatic cancer treatment, combining NanoKnife ablation with PD-L1 immunotherapy. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, have drawn widespread acclaim.

“This fusion of technologies has significantly improved outcomes,” he says. “It’s a testament to how interdisciplinary collaboration pushes medicine forward.”

Supporting the Frontier: A Bond with Xinjiang

“Ten years of aiding Tibet and Xinjiang—I’ve grown deeply attached to the local communities. The doctors and residents there treat me like family, and that brings me immense joy,” says Wang Zhongmin.

Through years of dedicated work, he has built genuine friendships with local medical staff and residents. Whether facing harsh conditions or complex medical challenges, they stand united, supporting one another to improve regional healthcare. For Wang, these bonds are his most treasured reward, inspiring his long-term commitment to aid initiatives.

In 2013, as a Shanghai-appointed expert, Wang began his mission at Shihezi People’s Hospital in Xinjiang. Over ten years, he treated countless patients and pioneered the region’s first interventional medicine team—turning “nonexistence into excellence.”

One case remains etched in his memory: A preschool girl in Shihezi accidentally swallowed a corrosive substance from a soda bottle, causing severe esophageal burns and closure. Local surgeons recommended high-risk open surgery, which might have left her with a shortened esophagus.

“She was so young—could she endure such risks?” Wang recalls questioning. Instead, he proposed gradual stent dilation. Despite initial skepticism, he successfully created a 3–4mm passage, allowing saliva to flow. A month later, he expanded it to 10mm, enabling full recovery. “Her family still visits yearly to thank me,” he shares.

Such moments remind Wang of Xinjiang’s vast blue skies and the earnest smiles of its people.

At Shihezi University’s Third Affiliated Hospital, the dean approached Wang with a decade-long frustration: Four batches of trainees had failed to establish an interventional department. Wang accepted the challenge.

After completing his initial one-year term, he voluntarily extended his stay, commuting monthly to Shihezi to oversee progress. Under his leadership, the team performed over 600 interventional surgeries, one-third of which were emergencies. They introduced more than 15 groundbreaking techniques, half of which were regional firsts. Wang also trained eight physicians, creating Xinjiang’s top interventional team.

“We built a ‘permanent squad’—one that stays even after I leave,” Wang declares proudly.

Beyond hands-on training, Wang’s team organized the “Xinjiang Interventional Salon,” inviting top-tier experts to share innovations. They also facilitated free upskilling programs for Shihezi and Shigatse medical staff at Shanghai’s Ruijin Hospital, including lodging.

“These efforts create fertile ground for sustainable growth,” Wang emphasizes. “Every trainee who returns home sows seeds of hope for their community.”

For his contributions, Wang was honored as Shihezi’s Top Talent. Yet his motivation runs deeper: “The trust locals place in me is humbling. I owe it to them to keep pushing for better healthcare.”

Q: ShanghaiDoctor.cn
During your medical aid mission in Xinjiang, did you experience significant differences in living and working conditions? How did this affect your physical/mental health and work performance?

A: Dr. Wang Zhongmin
I adapted quite well to the local environment and often bonded closely with the community. The locals enjoyed interacting with me—we worked together, discussed medical cases, and most importantly, built mutual trust. This made my work in Xinjiang remarkably smooth.

Q: ShanghaiDoctor.cn
In your daily work, how do you maintain high efficiency and a positive mindset?

A: Dr. Wang Zhongmin
I prioritize rational work planning to avoid time waste or delays. Meanwhile, I maintain a balanced mindset by allocating time for both work and personal life, preventing excessive stress. Passion, patience, and meticulousness help me work efficiently and deliver top-tier care. Some treatments require prolonged effort, but a patient’s recovery is my greatest pride. A doctor’s ultimate reward is witnessing restored health.

 

Q: ShanghaiDoctor.cn
You’ve organized numerous interventional training programs. What’s the current profile of participants?

A: Dr. Wang Zhongmin
Trainees include interventional radiologists (20%), general radiologists, internists, and surgeons (80%). They share a common goal: mastering interventional techniques and medical knowledge to enhance skills and patient care. As interventional methods expand clinically, cross-department collaboration becomes essential—many procedures now require multidisciplinary teamwork.

Q: ShanghaiDoctor.cn
You mentioned cross-department collaboration cases. With interventional medicine’s growing role, what other cooperative experiences stand out?

A: Dr. Wang Zhongmin
We partnered with obstetrics/gynecology and orthopedics. Precision interventions like embolization reduced surgical bleeding and accelerated recovery. For example, temporary iliac artery embolization in pelvic replacement surgeries significantly cut blood transfusion needs, inspiring more departments to explore these techniques. I’m proud to contribute to healthcare advances and see tangible impacts from these efforts.

Editor: Qing Chen, ShanghaiDoctor.cn

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