When you are undergoing cancer treatment, you do need to make a choice of the hospital, but you need more than that. Patients and their families should consider researching the various oncologists, diagnostic centers, procedures for chemotherapy and radiation treatments, surgical skill, insurance acceptance, the cost of treatments, and the follow-up care that will be available.
Saudi Arabia has established a large network of specialist oncology centres in major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah. There are several hospitals with a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, hematology, imaging, pathology and supportive care.
This guide introduces some of the leading cancer hospitals in Saudi Arabia, the available cancer treatment options, factors influencing the cost of cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia, questions patients should ask prior to the beginning of treatment and considerations of health insurance.
Cancer Treatment in Saudi Arabia
Most modern cancer treatment starts with diagnosis and the staging and type of cancer. In some cases, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, PET-CT imaging, biopsies, and molecular testing or specialized tests may be ordered.
Once a diagnosis is made, many cancer centers employ a multidisciplinary approach. The patient’s case may be reviewed by a variety of specialists, such as medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, etc., before a treatment plan is recommended.
Possible Treatments Include
- Cancer surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Bone marrow or stem cell transplants
- For patients experiencing pain or discomfort that can be alleviated or controlled.
The most effective treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage, molecular markers, prior treatment, patient’s age and health.
1. King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre – Riyadh
The King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) is one of the most important referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia for complex and specialized treatment.
It is equipped with a separate Adult Oncology Centre and King Abdullah Centre for Oncology and Liver Diseases in its Riyadh campus. The hospital says medical oncology, radiation oncology, hematology, stem-cell transplantation and palliative care are medical oncological services it provides.
The hospital’s hematopoietic stem-cell transplant program is used to treat various diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. KFSHRC also has access to state-of-the-art radiation technologies like TomoTherapy and CyberKnife.
In the context of specialist treatment in Riyadh, patients who need complex cancer management, transplantation or multidisciplinary evaluation might then find themselves in the presence of KFSHRC.
Important Oncology Services Include
- Medical oncology
- Chemotherapy and systemic therapy.
- Radiation oncology
- Bone marrow/ Stem-cell transplants
- Hematology
- Palliative medicine
- The focus is on cancer research and clinical programs.
KFSHRC also has oncology services in Jeddah and Madinah. It has hematology/oncology, bone marrow transplantation, radiation oncology services for adults and children in its department in Jeddah.
2. King Fahad Medical City Comprehensive Cancer Center, Riyadh
King Fahad Medical City has a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Riyadh, and states that it is one of the primary referral centers of the Ministry of Health for patients with hematology and oncology issues in Saudi Arabia.
It offers services in areas of adult medical oncology, adult haematology and bone marrow transplantation, paediatric oncology, radiation oncology and palliative care.
Advanced Radiation Techniques
The center provides advanced radiation techniques such as:
- 3D conformal radiotherapy
- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT):
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
- Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)
- High-Dose-Rate brachytherapy
It also offers diagnostic imaging services such as CT, MRI, mammography and PET-CT.
When comparing cancer hospitals in Riyadh, these all-in-one diagnostic and treatment facilities can hold significance for patients looking for a comprehensive facility.
3. Princess Noorah Oncology Center – Jeddah
Princess Noorah Oncology Center is at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.
The center offers medical oncology, haematology and bone marrow transplantation, paediatric haematology and oncology, radiation oncology, palliative medicine and gynecologic oncology for the adult population.
It provides services to patients with solid tumors, lymphoma and leukemia, as well as inpatient and outpatient facilities, chemotherapy and radiation.
It is a significant specialist cancer-care center for patients in western Saudi Arabia, especially in the Makkah and Jeddah areas.
4. Saudi German Health – Riyadh and Jeddah
Patients who prefer to consult in the private sector, or who require insurance coverage or more rapid access to some services may wish to consider private hospitals.
Saudi German Health offers oncology and hematology treatment across a variety of sites such as Riyadh and Jeddah. It provides radiotherapy, interventional radiology, CT-guided biopsy, pain management, rehabilitation and oncology nutrition, as well as advanced cancer imaging and immunotherapy among other cancer-related services.
The actual price of private treatment should always be verified directly with the hospital and the insurance company as there are considerable differences in prices based on the treatment plan.
How Much Does Cancer Treatment Cost in Saudi Arabia?
The cost of cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia varies from one to another.
The overall cost of a patient’s treatment can be relatively low, for diagnostic studies and other outpatient treatment, or high, for major surgery, long-term chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy or stem-cell transplantation.
Typically hospitals will require the patient’s medical records in order to make an accurate treatment assessment.
Some of the main influences on the cost are:
Cancer Type and Stage
Financial needs can vary widely depending on the stage of cancer and the type of treatment needed, such as surgery or months of systemic treatment.
Diagnostic Tests
Specialist consultation, pathology review, biopsy, CT scan, MRI, PET-CT scan, laboratory testing, molecular and genetic testing are all costs.
Surgery
The expenses of cancer surgery are related to the organ being removed, the complexity of the surgery, the requirement for an operating room, surgeon expenses, the need for anesthesia, and the hospital stay and critical care needs.
Chemotherapy
The cost of chemotherapy will depend on the drugs used, the dosage, the number of cycles and whether the chemotherapy process is outpatient or inpatient.
Radiation Therapy
The cost of radiotherapy depends on the type of radiation technique, the need for radiotherapy planning and number of treatment sessions.
Some advanced techniques like IMRT, VMAT, stereotactic radiotherapy or brachytherapy can vary in price.
Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy
The newer types of cancer drugs can make up a large proportion of the entire cost of the cancer treatment.
In some treatments, you may be given a quote that may be given for months or more of your treatment; patients should ask if that quote is for one treatment or for the entire treatment course.
Health Insurance and Cancer Treatment
Patients can be paying a lot more than they should be on their own with insurance.
People with private health insurance should check coverage in advance with their health plan and not presume that all the hospital or doctors they are going to use is covered.
Saudi Arabia’s Council of Health Insurance has released guidelines on cancer coverage in the cooperative health-insurance market, but the benefit that any patient will receive will be dependent on the specific cooperative health-insurance policy, network and terms.
What Patients Should Ask Their Insurance Company
Patients should ask their insurance company about the following:
- Oncology consultation coverage
- Hospital network restrictions
- Chemotherapy coverage
- Radiation therapy coverage
- Cancer surgery
- PET-CT and diagnostic imaging treatments
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted medicines
- Genetical test or molecular test
- Hospital admission
- Reconstructive Surgery if medically necessary
- Annual or policy benefit limits
- Pre-authorization requirements
Avoid trusting just a blanket cancer policy. If possible, request a written plan of treatment.
Getting a Second Opinion for Cancer
Getting a Second Opinion for cancer can be a valuable experience.A second opinion for cancer can be useful.
Sometimes getting a second opinion is helpful when a patient is about to undergo a major surgery, rarely occurring cancer, advanced disease or multiple treatment options.
One of the patient rights outlined by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health is multidisciplinary treatment as well as access to a second opinion.
Documents Needed for a Second Opinion
For a second opinion, patients may be asked to provide:
- Pathology report
- Biopsy slides/tissue samples
- CT, MRI or PET-CT images
- Blood-test results
- Previous treatment records
- Surgery reports
- Current medication list
Sometimes, the doctors may ask for a second opinion from the pathologist or the imaging specialist prior to making a specific recommendation.
Questions to Ask When Visiting a Cancer Hospital
When visiting the cancer hospital you should ask some questions:
When choosing an oncology centre, the patient may have a number of practical questions to ask, such as:
What is the Kind and Stage of My Cancer?
Before comparing treatment options it is important to know the exact diagnosis.
Will There Be a Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Discussion of My Case?
In more complicated cases, multiple specialties may be needed.
Which Treatments Do You Suggest and Why?
Discuss options and possible side effects and benefits.
What Will Be the Expense of the Total Treatment?
Always request an itemized estimate, if available.
Is This Hospital and Treatment Covered by My Insurance?
Verify hospital network and individual treatment authorization.
Is There a Newer Treatment Option?
Ask if molecular testing, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, or clinical trials, might be relevant for appropriate cancers.
Choosing the Right Cancer Hospital in Saudi Arabia
When it comes to cancer, there is a lot to consider.The choice of the right cancer hospital in saudi arabia is extensive.
There is no one cancer center that is right for everyone.
The needs of a leukemia patient who needs stem-cell transplantation are quite different from those of a person who needs breast surgery or focal radiation therapy.
To compare oncology hospitals in Saudi Arabia, look at the hospital’s experience in treating the particular cancer, who will be on your team, the diagnostic technology, surgical skills, radiation equipment, access to advanced drugs, and insurance network and long-term follow-up.
Patients from another Saudi city should also take into account their accommodation, transportation and how often they will need to be in the country for treatment.
Final Thoughts
Patients can get advanced cancer care in various regions of Saudi Arabia in major government, specialist and private hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah.
Multidisciplinary oncology services are available in centers like King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Comprehensive Cancer Center in King Fahad Medical City and Princess Noorah Oncology Center, and there are other services available for insurance and self-pay patients in private healthcare networks.
However, the prices quoted in publications or estimated should be used only as a final quotation, due to the individual nature of cancer treatments. The best way to do this is to get a diagnosis that’s been confirmed, get all medical reports, ask for a specialist oncology consultation and get a written plan and a written cost estimate from the hospital and insurance company before making any financial or medical choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Name of the City That There Are Also Cancer Hospitals in Saudi Arabia?
There are also a number of Oncology specialist centres in Riyadh and Jeddah with advanced cancer services in Madinah etc.
In Saudi Arabia, Is Chemotherapy Available?
Yes. Chemotherapy and other systemic therapies are provided at major oncology centres. Treatment may also include immunotherapy or targeted therapy, depending on the type of cancer.
Is There Cancer Coverage Under Saudi Health Insurance?
Depending upon the health policy in place, certain benefits can be applied to cancer, however limits, networks, authorization and individual benefits vary. It is important that patients check with their insurance company before treatment to confirm they are covered.
Is There a Second Opinion Available for Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The referral of cancer cases to major specialist hospitals is evaluated, and Saudi Ministry of Health guidelines include obtaining a second opinion as part of cancer patients’ rights.
How Much Will the Cancer Treatment Cost Exactly?
A meaningful estimate is typically only provided by the hospital after they receive the diagnosis, stage and pathology reports, imaging, and recommended treatment plan.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is designed to provide general information only and is not intended to be medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Diagnostic and treatment decisions for cancer must be made by an expert oncology team following a detailed assessment of the patient’s disease.