Dr Chen graduated in medicine from Hengyang Medical College in 1988 and completed a doctorate in gynaecological oncology at Shanghai Medical University in 1993. He then joined Guangzhou Cancer Hospital, progressing from attending to associate chief physician in the gynaecological oncology department.
Between 2002 and 2006 he carried out postdoctoral research at Emory University and Pennsylvania State University in the United States. He returned in 2006 to the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, was promoted to chief physician in 2008 and has led the gynaecological oncology department since 2009. He builds tailored diagnostic and treatment plans for cervical, endometrial, ovarian and vulvar cancer, malignant trophoblastic disease and uterine fibroids, with outcomes he describes as satisfactory and the technical range to perform the most complex operations.