Dubai's first private pediatric oncology clinic to establish cancer tumor registry

The Pediatric Oncology specialist clinic at the American Hospital Dubai is already treating children and adolescents up to the age of 18 and providing support to patient families, as part of the department of Hematology and Oncology in the Cancer Care Center at the hospital.

"We are winning the war against several childhood cancers," says Head of the new service, Dr Nidal Mahgoub, American Board Certified Consultant Pediatrician Oncologist/ Hematologist, who recently joined the hospital from the US.

"In the US for example, the cure rate for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia is very high; around 85-90 per cent of patients can live free of cancer with the proper treatment.

Most child cancer survival rates have improved significantly. The key to success is providing the right treatment and we believe our new clinic will make a significant contribution to the region by providing US quality care for our young patients."

The Pediatric Oncology/Hematology clinic is a multidisciplinary unit that treats cancer cases including leukaemia and solid tumors together with blood disorders - such as Sickle cell anemia, Haemophilia and Thalassemia - amongst children and adolescents.

The dedicated unit provides a wide range of treatment options including chemotherapy, immune-therapy, psychological support and palliative care.

The hospital's plan is to expand the unit and establish a Regional Oncology Center by introducing radiation therapy and a new investigational PET/CT scanner; the Center will soon become a fully equipped facility offering a comprehensive set of services for patients across the Middle East.

"The benefits of establishing a tumor registry are that we are also contributing to the wider knowledge of the disease in the region by sharing information and data with other healthcare professionals and institutions,"

adds Dr Nidal.

"We track our patients and monitor the effects of various treatments on tumors, which can vary depending on the different factors involved in each case. Building this database of knowledge helps practitioners learn about the incidence and prevalence of cancer cases in the region and can help guide healthcare professionals to the best treatment options."