Cancer treatment in Saudi Arabia: Revolutionary detection technologies and a proton therapy center
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a historic transformation in the healthcare sector, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program. Dr. Mashab Al-Asiri, Director General of the National Cancer Center at the Saudi Health Council, revealed a comprehensive national strategy aimed at changing the map of dealing with cancerous tumors, and moving them from the category of fatal diseases to controlled chronic diseases.
Diagnostic revolution: One blood test detects 50 types
In a significant development for preventive medicine, Dr. Al-Asiri announced the imminent arrival of an advanced diagnostic technology in the Kingdom within the next two years. This technology, which relies on a "liquid biopsy" and the analysis of genetic changes and DNA fragments in the blood, enables the early detection of 50 different types of cancer through a single blood test. This represents a major leap forward compared to traditional methods. Currently available in the United States at a cost of approximately $950, this technology is expected to contribute to unprecedented increases in survival rates by detecting the disease before clinical symptoms appear.
Proton Therapy Center: The first of its kind in the region
To bolster the healthcare infrastructure, Al-Asiri confirmed the operational readiness of the proton therapy center in Riyadh, scheduled to open within six weeks at a substantial investment cost of one billion riyals. This step is of great regional importance, as proton therapy represents the pinnacle of advancement in radiotherapy worldwide.
This technique is distinguished by its extreme precision in targeting the tumor without harming healthy tissue or surrounding vital organs, making it the best option for treating complex brain cancers and childhood tumors. The Ministry of Health has committed to covering the treatment cost, which is 200,000 riyals per case locally, thus saving substantial sums that were previously spent on treatment abroad (approximately 600,000 riyals at American centers). This reflects the efficiency of government spending and the localization of advanced healthcare services.
Localization of biotechnology and immunotherapy
The achievements didn't stop at infrastructure development; they also included the localization of advanced gene and immunotherapies. The Kingdom successfully implemented CAR-T cell therapy, achieving cure rates of up to 70% in cases of intractable leukemia. This localization has contributed to reducing treatment costs from 10 million riyals per case abroad to 3 million riyals within the Kingdom, and more than 200 patients have benefited from this technology to date.
Strategic context and performance indicators
These moves come at a time when the Kingdom is recording cure rates comparable to medically advanced countries like France and the United States, with cure rates for breast, colon, thyroid, and prostate cancers reaching 98% when detected early. However, the sector faces challenges due to high incidence rates (135 cases per 100,000 people) resulting from an increase in life expectancy to 79 years and the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles.
To address these challenges, future plans are being developed that include including lung cancer screening in national programs, requiring medical insurance to cover tumor screenings, and enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a regional research center after joining the International Cancer Union Agency, which promises a promising future based on vaccines and precise robotic surgeries.
