Cleveland Clinic expands its footprint in cancer fight

‘Early detection key’

DUBAI, Jan 28: Physicians from across Cleveland Clinic’s global network will discuss the future of cancer care in the UAE and beyond at Arab Health 2020.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is responsible for about one in every six deaths globally, making it the second most common cause of death. In the UAE, it is the leading reason patients travel abroad for treatment and the third most common cause of death.

In response to the challenge cancer presents, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – established in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company – announced the construction of its groundbreaking oncology center in April last year. Modelled on Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center in the US, the 17,000 square meter facility will bring Cleveland Clinic’s model of cancer care to the UAE, providing patients with comprehensive, personalized treatment at a single location, expanding the range of cancer care available. Cleveland Clinic is ranked in the top six for cancer care in US News & World Report’s annual publication ‘Best Hospitals’.

Dr Nizar Zein, Chairman of Global Patient Services for Cleveland Clinic, says: “With the construction of this center in Abu Dhabi, we are expanding our footprint to provide a truly global and integrated network of care.

“Through international collaboration, knowledge-sharing and multidisciplinary purpose-built facilities like this one, we will be well-equipped to tackle cancer on a global scale, while offering a personalized patient experience that meets the cultural and specific needs of each area.

Dr Stephen Grobmyer, Chair of the Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who recently joined the hospital from Cleveland Clinic in the United States, says: “Early detection is the key to our fight against cancer, ensuring we catch the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.”

Success

“Building on the success of our colleagues in the United States, our new oncology center will be the next step in transforming the way cancer is treated in the UAE.”

Reflecting the importance of early diagnosis in successful treatment of cancer, Dr Fawad Khan, Section Head for Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, will moderate a session titled ‘How to find cancer early’ at Arab Health’s Primary Care Conference on Tuesday, Jan 28.

Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease in the UAE, and it is also one of the most preventable through regular screening and prompt medical intervention. Dr Yasir Akmal, a surgical oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Digestive Disease Institute, will be presenting updates on surgical treatment for the disease alongside Dr Emre Gorgun, a colorectal surgeon, who will present updates on robotic rectal cancer surgery at Arab Health 2020’s Surgery Conference on Thursday, Jan 30.

“Surgical treatments for cancer have made great strides in recent years, allowing us to intervene much earlier, and giving patients their best chance at a positive outcome. Patients in the UAE are already benefiting from our integrated health system, this collaboration will further deepen as we expand our range of cancer services in Abu Dhabi,” says Dr Akmal.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s current cancer services include Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PETCT) for cancer diagnoses, and minimally invasive robotic surgery for their treatments. In certain cases, the hospital complements its advanced surgical offerings with chemotherapy. The hospital has treated more than two thousand cancer patients in the last two years.

Zulekha Hospital saved the life of 40-year-old Estreleita P. as she complained of severe right side chest pain. Following an X-ray and chest CT-scan at a different facility, a 10-cm chest wall tumor extending to the spine was revealed, and the patient was referred to Zulekha Hospital for further treatment.

Tissue

The patient required to undergo a guided core tissue biopsy for further confirmation of the tumor. Upon consensus from experts on the tumor board (an expert panel), the surgery was deduced as the best curative treatment.

The chest cavity – which houses the lungs, heart, and other vital body parts – is a bone-and-muscle cage framed by the sternum, spine, and ribs. Like any other part of the body, the walls of the chest cavity are susceptible to tumors.

A benign tumor based on its size, location, and rate of growth can create difficulties. A giant benign tumor can press against a lung and interfere with proper breathing. The majority of benign tumors, however, show no symptoms, do not seem to raise an alarm and very often remain undetected.

Dr Khaldoon Abo Dakka – Specialist Thoracic Surgeon assisted by Dr Ravi Dadlani Parasram – Consultant Neurosurgeon and Dr Hasan Al Shaiah – Specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeon performed a five-hour surgery know as Right thoracotomy for removal of right chest wall tumor involving 5th, 6th and 7th rib with plastic reconstruction and partial D6 vertebral body surgical removal.

“The tumor involved three ribs and spread alongside the spine, which required the expertise of a dedicated team of thoracic surgeons and neurosurgeons to excise the tumor, minimizing the risk of recurrence, as such tumors have high tendency to recur invasively in place,“commented Dr Abo Dakka.

Dr Hasan Al Shaiah added: ”We were successful in doing plastic reconstruction to maintain the stability of chest wall post ribs resection avoiding lung herniation or paradoxical chest wall movement on respiration, which is a major concern in such type of surgeries.”