King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh – United Arab Emirates
About Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar)
Dr. Saad Akhtar is a Consultant Oncologist/Hematologist and In-charge of the High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation programme (Adult Medical Oncology) — a senior breast cancer and lymphoma specialist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His decades-long practice spans breast cancer, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and adult stem cell transplantation.
- In-charge — High-Dose Chemotherapy & Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation, Adult Medical Oncology
- Co-author on Saudi national consensus for early and metastatic breast cancer management (Oncol Ther, 2025)
- Senior author on multiple single-centre Hodgkin lymphoma and DLBCL stem cell transplant outcome studies
- Published on nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) — first comprehensive Middle East report
- Expertise in salvage regimens and stem cell mobilisation protocols
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- MBBS / MD — Information not publicly available.
- Internal Medicine Residency — Information not publicly available.
- Medical Oncology / Hematology Specialty Training — Information not publicly available.
Fellowships & Special Training
- High-Dose Chemotherapy & Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation — Information not publicly available.
Certifications & Accreditations
- Information not publicly available.
- Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) registration
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Breast Cancer (early, locally advanced, and metastatic)
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- Hodgkin Lymphoma (classical and NLPHL)
- Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
- Relapsed/Refractory Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
Sub-specialties
- Adult Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: In-charge of the high-dose chemotherapy and autologous SCT programme — a mainstay of best lymphoma treatment in Saudi Arabia for relapsed/refractory disease.
- Breast Cancer Medical Oncology: Integrated care spanning neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and metastatic disease with novel targeted therapies.
- Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL): Led the first comprehensive Middle East report on NLPHL management.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- High-Dose Chemotherapy with Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (BEAM conditioning)
- ESHAP and Other Salvage Regimens for Lymphoma
- Stem Cell Mobilisation (G-CSF based)
- Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
- Anti-HER2 Targeted Therapy
- Brentuximab Vedotin for Hodgkin Lymphoma
- CHOP and R-CHOP Regimens for NHL
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Consultant Oncologist/Hematologist; In-charge, High-Dose Chemotherapy & Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (Adult Medical Oncology) (Current)
Past Affiliations
- Information not publicly available.
Academic & Research Roles
- Information not publicly available.
Key Achievements
- Led publication of the first comprehensive Middle East NLPHL cohort report
- Long-standing in-charge role for adult autologous SCT at a leading tertiary cancer centre
- Co-authored Saudi national breast cancer consensus guidelines
- Extensive publication record in lymphoma, breast cancer, and stem cell transplantation
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- Information not publicly available.
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) — Information not publicly available.
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) — Information not publicly available.
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) — Information not publicly available.
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Akhtar S, Rauf MS, Khafaga Y, Al-Kofide A, Elhassan TAM, Elshenawy MA et al. Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma characteristics, management of primary and relapsed/refractory disease and outcome analysis: the first comprehensive report from the Middle East. 2021 (PMC8017738).
- Al-Tweigeri T, Akhtar S, Alzahrani M et al. Safety and preliminary efficacy of adding tocilizumab to cisplatin/docetaxel for the treatment of locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer patients: prospective phase 1/2 clinical trial. Sci Rep. 2026 (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-38465-z).
- Alaklabi S, Akhtar S, AL-Tweigeri T et al. Management of Early and Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Consensus Statement from Oncologists in Saudi Arabia. Oncol Ther. 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s40487-025-00404-9
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- High-dose chemotherapy and autologous SCT in lymphoma
- Triple-negative breast cancer novel therapies (IL-6 pathway)
- Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
- Stem cell mobilisation optimisation
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (SAR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Oncology/Hematology Consultation | SAR 500 – SAR 1,500 | $135 – $400 |
| Breast Cancer Chemotherapy (per cycle) | SAR 15,000 – SAR 70,000 | $4,000 – $18,700 |
| Lymphoma Chemotherapy (R-CHOP / ESHAP) | SAR 20,000 – SAR 80,000 | $5,300 – $21,300 |
| Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation | SAR 150,000 – SAR 300,000 | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Brentuximab Vedotin Therapy (per cycle) | SAR 40,000 – SAR 100,000 | $10,700 – $26,700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar) use as a Medical Oncologist?
Dr. Saad Akhtar uses the latest treatments in breast cancer and lymphoma including high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue, brentuximab vedotin, novel IL-6 pathway targeting (tocilizumab in TNBC), and modern HER2-targeted therapies. International second opinions can be arranged via Cancer Rounds.
2. What conditions does Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar) specialize in treating?
Dr. Saad Akhtar specialises in breast cancer (all subtypes, including locally advanced and metastatic disease), Hodgkin lymphoma (including nodular lymphocyte-predominant subtype), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, relapsed/refractory lymphoma, and adult autologous stem cell transplantation. He is a senior oncology consultant in Riyadh consulted for complex breast cancer and lymphoma cases.
3. How do I book an appointment with Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar)?
Appointments with Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar) can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar)?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar), including Saudi Arabia medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination in Riyadh.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation (Arabic, English, and more), financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival in Riyadh.
6. Does Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar) offer second opinions as a Medical Oncologist?
Yes. Second opinion consultations can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients who wish to review their diagnosis or treatment plan with Dr. Saad Akhtar (Syed Saad Akhtar), an expert Medical Oncologist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
