Objective To analyze the characteristics of the interhospital consultation in cancer hospitals, and to discuss the influence of interhospital consultation on the diagnosis and treatment of the patients in cancer hospitals.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed the consultation records and related clinical medical records of 1323 patients hospitalized in Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. We made clear the reasons, the purpose and the results of the consultation.

Results In the 1323 cases, urgent consultation: 117 (8.8%) cases; general consultation: 1206 (91.2%) cases. The top three departments invited were the Departments of Cardiology, Neurology and Respiration. The consultations included cardiovascular disease (317 cases, 24.0%), respiratory disease (182 cases, 13.8%), blood system disease (139 cases, 10.5%), nervous system disease (132 cases, 10.0%), digestive system disease (131 cases, 10.0%), urinary system disease (82 cases, 6.2%), skin disease and venereal disease (65 cases, 4.9%), endocrine and metabolic diseases (53 cases, 4.0%), autoimmune disease (23 cases, 1.7%) and other diseases(199 cases, 15.0%). Treatment benefits from consultation: 894(67.5%) patients received the best antitumor treatment, 350(26.5%) patients received best supportive care, 79(6%) cases showed no significant benefit. Prognosis in hospital: 1286(97.2%) patients had stable or improved conditions, and 37(2.8%) patients had deteriorated diseases and died.

Conclusion Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of interhospital consultation in cancer specialized hospitals. Interhospital consultations are helpful to the formulation of antitumor treatment.