When looking for a hospital in Saudi Arabia to deal with cancer, a lot more should be considered than just finding the closest hospital or the name that rings a bell.
Cancer can be treated for weeks, months or years, and patients can require multiple specialists, imaging tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, lab monitoring, rehabilitation, long-term follow-up and more.
As a result, the best cancer hospital will most likely be the one that can offer the services that are necessary for the specific kind of diagnosis which the patient has and can coordinate the services effectively.
Oncology services are provided by government hospitals, specialist referral centers, university medical cities and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. But their capabilities, referral criteria, insurance programs and cancer programs may vary widely.
This guide provides information on practical considerations patients and families may consider when selecting a cancer treatment hospital in Saudi Arabia.
Begin with the exact diagnosis of cancer.Begin with the exact cancer diagnosis.
Consideration of hospital should not start until the diagnosis is as clear as possible.
“Cancer” is written on two people, and their hospitals could be entirely different.
For instance, the treatment needs of:
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Colorectal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Brain tumors
- Liver cancer
- Pediatric cancer
can be quite distinct.
Before you make a comparison with hospitals, see if you can get:
- Pathology report
- Biopsy result
- Imaging reports
- Cancer stage
- Previous treatment history
- Current medications
- Relevant laboratory reports
If a molecular or genetic test has been done, this can also influence treatment.
To find a surgeon who has experience in his patients’ particular cancer type.To identify a surgeon that has experience in the patients’ specific cancer type.
A large hospital is not always the best hospital for each type of cancer.
The patients should ask the oncology center if they have experience with their specific disease.
Some hospitals have a well-established program in hematology and stem-cell transplantation and others may have excellent programs in breast, colorectal, lung or gynecologic cancers.
Patients can ask:
- Are there specialists at the hospital who are specializing in cancer that I have?
- How much does the center treat this type of disease?
- Does the school have a cancer dedicated program?
- Do cases involving complex issues get reviewed by multiple specialists?
The responses will be more beneficial than a response that simply states that the hospital has an oncology department.
Determine if there is a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board available.
These days, cancer treatment is more likely to take place with more than one physician.
A multidisciplinary tumour board is a meeting of multiple experts to review the same case of cancer and discuss options for treatment.
The team can consist of:
- Medical oncologist
- Surgical oncologist
- Radiation oncologist
- Radiologist
- Pathologist
- Hematologist
- Genetic specialist
- Palliative-care specialist
- Other disease-specific doctors
Multidisciplinary treatment is recognized as one of the rights of oncology patients by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health.
It is especially useful for cancers that are more complex, as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments might require coordination.
The Pathology Department must be evaluated.The Pathology Department shall be evaluated.
Pathology is one of the most ignored aspects when selecting a cancer hospital.
When making decisions about treatment for cancer, the pathologist’s findings from the biopsy are often key.
Pathology can determine:
- Exact cancer type
- Tumor grade
- Biological characteristics
- Hormone receptor status
- Biomarker status
- If further molecular testing is required
In the case of unusual or complex cancers, a patient might want to see the slides again by a specialist pathologist.
If major treatment is needed, sometimes a second pathology review can be helpful prior to treatment.
You should find out what molecular/biomarker testing is available.
In the era of modern cancer care, information on the biology of a tumor is playing an ever increasing role.
Some of the targeted drugs and immunotherapies might be suitable only if certain molecular or biomarker results are observed.
Testing can include examining tumour tissue, blood or genetic tests.
When choosing a hospital, a patient who has a cancer for which precision medicine might be relevant can ask:
- If yes, does the hospital do molecular testing?
- Do they test in-house or send out?
- What’s the normal time for results?
- Do there exist counseling services if needed?
- Will the outcome influence the treatment choices?
Saudi patient-rights information also provides access to suitable information on genetic factors and genetic testing in cancer cases where relevant.
Review the surgeon’s cancer surgery experience.Check the surgeon’s experience in cancer surgery.
If surgery is likely to be a part of the treatment, the surgical team is an important factor in your choice.
Cancer surgery can be substantially different from routine surgery.
The treatment recommended for patients will vary depending on the diagnosis and may include:
- Breast surgery
- Thoracic surgery
- Colorectal surgery
- Liver surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Gynecologic oncology surgery
- Urologic cancer surgery
- Surgery of the head and neck
Families can inquire if the surgery is routinely done at the hospital, if complications arise, what other services are offered and made available to them.
Intensive care, advanced imaging, blood banking and interventional radiology may also be critical for more complex procedures.
Review Radiation Oncology Technology
Radiation therapy is not necessary for all cancer patients, but it may be recommended for some. If so, they might need a specific type of radiation therapy.
Modern radiation oncology may involve:
- 3D conformal radiation therapy.
- IMRT
- VMAT
- IGRT
- Stereotactic radiotherapy
- Stereotactic radiosurgery
- Brachytherapy
- Total-body irradiation
The latest treatment machine is not necessarily the best treatment.
The better question is whether the radiation oncology team has the requisite technology and experience that the patient’s specific cancer requires.
Patients should ask the question, why are they being recommended to use a particular radiation technique?
Think about Planning a Chemotherapy or Infusion centre.
Several months of chemotherapy may be necessary.
So practical matter might be a big factor.
Patients may want to know:
- How chemotherapy appointments are scheduled
- Inpatient or outpatient treatment facilities?- Whether treatment is in-patient or out-patient?
- The way side effects are addressed.The manner in which side effects are addressed.
- Availability of urgent oncology advice
- Ability to have laboratory testing done on-site
- In Canada, how medications are approved for insurance coverage.How to get medicines approved for insurance in Canada.
Travel time is also a factor to consider for patients residing at a great distance, as multiple treatments may be physically and/or economically burdensome.
Assess access to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.Review access to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Targeted treatment and immunotherapy have transformed the management of a number of cancers.
But not all of these treatments are necessarily suitable for all patients.
A good oncology center should describe:
- Give reasons why the medicine is being evaluated.State reasons for which medicine is being evaluated.
- What is a biomarker that backs it up
- Expected benefits
- Important side effects
- Treatment duration
- Monitoring requirements
- Alternative options
Patients should not be misled into thinking that they have to choose a hospital just because it promotes an advanced treatment.
The treatment needs to be suitable for the person’s cancer.
Support available for Emergency and ICU.Emergency and ICU Support.
Sometimes, cancer patients can suffer complications.
Some of these can be infection, bleeding, serious reactions, dehydration or other emergency issues.
Before undergoing complex therapy, patients should consider asking the hospital to provide them with:
- Emergency care
- Intensive care
- Blood bank services
- Infectious-disease support
- Urgent imaging
- Emergency surgery
- 24-hour laboratory services
This is especially important when giving intensive chemotherapy, when someone has had a major cancer operation or stem-cell transplant.
Check Hospital Accreditation
One other important factor to consider when assessing a healthcare facility is accreditation.
Hospital accreditation information is provided by Saudi Arabia’s Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI).
It has been published records of government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia.
Accreditation doesn’t specify which cancer hospital is “best,” but can give information regarding a facility’s formal healthcare quality assessment.
Accreditation statuses may be subject to change or expiration; patients should check for the latest accreditation status directly.
I can also get a second opinion.
Patients are not always required to agree to the first option offered, but can discuss options with their healthcare provider.
The Saudi Ministry of Health’s oncology guidance allows for the patient’s right to multidisciplinary treatment and a second opinion.
A second opinion may be helpful, particularly when:
- The cancer is uncommon.
- Major surgery is recommended
- There are several treatment options available:
- The diagnosis is not certain
- The treatment is not effective anymore.
- The procedure is at high risk
Pathology slides, imaging, and/or past treatment information from another hospital may be required to assess the case.
Know the Referral System and how to use it.Know about the Referral System and how to use it.
Referral pathways may be required to access some specialist government hospitals.
According to the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, the referral system works by the hospital can be chosen depending on the medical decision, availability of services and geographical factors.
This does not always mean that a patient, just because he/she prefers a particular government hospital, can get that hospital.
Prior to treatment planning:
- Is a referral required?
- Who is making the referral?
- Has the referral been accepted?
- Is the required service available?
- What is the duration of the process anticipated?
- Will care be continued at home after specialist care?
Knowing this early on can help avoid delays.
The cost of private hospitals should also be carefully compared.
The cost of private cancer treatment may also vary significantly from hospital to hospital, and from drug to drug and treatment plan to treatment plan.
According to the Saudi Ministry of Health information about patient rights in private healthcare, patients are entitled to information about the prices of the services, and the amount he is entitled to receive, before he gets to the treatment center; and an accurate medical invoice for the services received.
If you’re considering expensive treatment, ask for an estimate that lists each itemized expense.
It may include:
- Consultation
- Biopsy
- Pathology
- Imaging
- Surgery
- Hospital stay
- Chemotherapy medicines
- Infusion charges
- Radiation planning
- Radiation sessions
- Immunotherapy
- Molecular tests
- Follow-up visits
Whether the estimate is for one cycle or the whole course of the proposed cycle.
Always check the health insurance before receiving treatment.
Not all oncology treatments are covered by insurance – do not presume that if a hospital accepts an insurance company, everything will be covered.
Patients should verify:
- Hospital network status
- Doctor network status
- Annual benefit limits
- Pre-authorization
- Chemotherapy coverage
- Radiation coverage
- Surgery coverage
- Imaging coverage
- Molecular testing coverage
- Immunotherapy coverage
- Targeted-drug coverage
For costly medicines or procedures, it can be helpful to have it written down.
Discuss Supportive and Palliative Care.Discuss the concept of Supportive and Palliative care.
There is more to cancer treatment than simply the destruction of tumors.
In addition to the above, good cancer treatment might need:
- Pain management
- Nutrition support
- Psychological support
- Rehabilitation
- Social support
- Symptom control
- Palliative medicine
The right to psychological, social and palliative care with qualified specialists is a part of the rights of the Saudi Ministry of Health for oncology.
Palliative care should not be a sign that treatment is no longer to be sought by the patient with advanced disease.
Palliative care may be used in conjunction with cancer treatment to help manage symptoms or quality of life.
Consider Fertility Before Treatment
Another one of the factors that can be overlooked is this.
Some chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery may have an impact on fertility.
Younger patients, who might still wish to have children in the future, should discuss fertility risks prior to treatment.
Access to information on fertility preservation in relevant cases is part of the Saudi oncology patient-rights guidance.
This discussion should take place early since certain fertility preservation options must be completed prior to initiation of cancer treatment.
While you’re waiting, think about travel and long-term follow-up.In the meantime, consider travel and long-term follow-up!
The state-of-the-art hospital might not be feasible when the patient needs to make a trip to the hospital for every appointment, several hours in length.
Treatment of cancer may include:
- Weekly laboratory tests
- Repeated chemotherapy
- Daily radiation sessions
- Imaging appointments
- Post-surgical follow-up
- Medication monitoring
Therefore, location matters.
Patients receiving complex treatment may be treated at a specialist clinic and follow up at a more local facility.
Inquire from the oncology team if this is an option.
Ensure communication and patient access
Medical technology is not the only thing that makes the patient experience great.
Patients with cancer should be able to comprehend:
- Their diagnosis
- Treatment objectives
- Possible side effects
- Alternative treatments
- Expected timeline
- In case of complications, who to call?
Saudi Ministry of Health patient-rights guidelines require patients to be provided with clear, comprehensible information regarding their condition and treatment and to be engaged in decisions that impact their care.
Communication is even more vital during long-lasting cancer therapy.
When selecting a cancer hospital, ask these 15 Questions:
Patients or their families can ask:
- Is this hospital used to treating this kind of cancer?
- Do you have a specialist who specializes in this disease?
- Do I have a tumor board discussion for my case?
- May my patho be reviewed?
- Do you have molecular testing or biomarker testing?
- What treatment(s) are being recommended, and why?
- What are some other ways to treat the shoes?
- Does the hospital carry out the necessary cancer surgeries?
- Do the appropriate radiation technologies exist?
- Do you have emergency and/or ICU support?
- What are the potential side effects?
- How can I find out more about the plan?
- Must the patient be referred to the government for treatment?
- Do I have to pay anything out-of-pocket for the hospital visit?
- How much is the average treatment cost?
Families will be more at ease with questions answered clearly at a hospital that can address them.
Warning Signs When Comparing Cancer Hospitals
Patients will need to be careful when they see:
- Guaranteed cancer cures
- The inability to pay upfront is a major obstacle.Quick payment is a big challenge.
- Treatment where no diagnosis has been made.
- Failure to provide medical records.Failure to submit medical records.
- No explanation of alternatives
- Unclear medication names
- Unexplained costs
- Assures that one cure is effective for all cancers
- Lack of a second opinion
Cancer treatment should be personalized based on a person’s unique medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it wise to opt for the largest cancer hospital in Saudi Arabia?
Not necessarily. A large specialist center may be significant for certain complex treatments, however the right hospital will rely on the type of cancer and the services that are needed.
Which is better, a Government Hospital or Private Hospital?
There is no correct or incorrect here. More helpful factors are specialist expertise, availability of treatment and eligibility for referral, insurance and the individual’s needs.
Before undergoing cancer surgery, should I get a second opinion?
When a major or complex surgery is indicated, and there are multiple therapies available, it is fair to question whether the surgery is necessary. Saudi oncology patient-rights guidance acknowledges the use of a second opinion.
What are some ways to check the quality of the hospital?
Patients can investigate accreditation, specialist experience, cancer programs, multidisciplinary services, treatment technology, patient-support services. Said Arabia’s CBAHI publishes accreditation information about healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Am I able to request an up-front estimate of the cost of treatment for a private hospital?
Yes. The Saudi Ministry of Health has informed private healthcare providers of the right of the patient to be informed of the costs of treatment before initiating it.
To a new cancer hospital, what types of records should I bring?
Typically includes pathology reports, biopsy information, imaging, labs, treatment history, surgery history, and actual meds list.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to finding the best hospital in Saudi Arabia for cancer treatment, it is not a matter of which hospital is the best for everyone.
The best hospital is that which can accurately identify the disease, has specialists proficient in that cancer, links the hospital’s various departments and supports the patient throughout the entire treatment process.
Patients should consider the expertise of the pathologist, access to tumor board, surgery, radiation technology, chemotherapy facilities, molecular testing, emergency support, supportive care, referral requirements, insurance coverage, costs of treatment and long-term follow-up.
Saudi patients also have rights pertaining to medical information they can understand, the right to be involved in their treatment choices and second opinions, so it is fair for them to ask questions in detail before agreeing to a prolonged treatment.
Rather than selecting a hospital based on its reputation, size, or its commitment to cutting-edge technology, a careful comparison may be of greater value to the patient according to his or her actual medical requirements.
Medical Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. Does not offer medical advice, diagnosis, ranking of the hospital and advice on treatment. Discussions about treatment and hospital selection should take place with informed healthcare providers who will be able to review the diagnosis, stage, and medical history as well as individual clinical situations of the patient.