NCCN Hosts Major International Symposium to Enhance Cancer Care in MENA

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a prominent global alliance of leading cancer centers, is actively participating in a two-day international meeting at the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) coordination center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event began on January 10, 2025, bringing together top oncology professionals from various countries within the region to discuss updated treatment recommendations.

This regional coordination center has been backed by the Ministry of Health of the National Guard in Saudi Arabia, with Dr. Kanan Al Shammari at the helm, since its establishment in 2014. The primary goal of this symposium is to enhance insights and foster collaboration among specialists to adapt global cancer care standards to local contexts effectively.

During this significant gathering, attendees will present new revisions and updates to the NCCN’s clinical practice guidelines specifically tailored for oncology within the MENA region. Topics will encompass various advancements, challenges, and opportunities related to cancer management in this part of the world. The guidelines serve as an essential resource, providing expert consensus recommendations grounded in evidence for cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and supportive care.

The NCCN MENA guidelines are unique in that they align best practices with the region's specific circumstances. This customization ensures that healthcare providers can deliver high-quality cancer care that resonates with the local population’s needs. Furthermore, these guidelines are available at no cost on the NCCN's website and via the NCCN Guidelines® App.

Dr. Al Shammari expresses the importance of this symposium, stating, "This gathering represents a vital opportunity to integrate global cancer care standards with regional expertise, ensuring more equitable and effective treatment outcomes for patients in the MENA region." He added, "The NCCN has a long-standing tradition of advancing cancer care internationally, and we are pleased to collaborate with local professionals to maximize the impact of medical advancements, enhancing the lives of cancer patients and their families throughout our region."

Among the NCCN MENA guidelines to be reviewed are those covering significant types of cancers such as:

- Hematological Cancers
- Breast Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Genetics and Hereditary Risk of Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, and Prostate Cancers
- Palliative Care

Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, the CEO of NCCN, emphasized the organization's pride in its ongoing relationship with regional oncology experts. "Over the years, we have published more than a dozen NCCN guidelines tailored specifically for the MENA region, which correspond to approximately 65% of adult cancer incidence in this area. This initiative encompasses over 2,000 pages of clinical content, updated biannually, enabling us to empower the oncology community with high-quality care and improved scientific communication."

The guidelines provide color-coded recommendations to assist healthcare providers in administering treatment effectively. Where the black text denotes the current global recommendations, italicized blue text signifies appropriate and feasible regional modifications as determined by national experts, while any current infeasible approaches are indicated by strikethrough gray text.

Furthermore, the global program of NCCN ensures that its guidelines have been translated into over 50 languages and more than 270 translations worldwide. The NCCN Harmonized Guidelines® and the NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification provide additional recommendations for treatment based on varied resource levels.

The NCCN also publishes patient-friendly guidelines designed to communicate clinical recommendations in non-technical language for patients and caregivers, available for free on their site, thanks to the support from the NCCN Foundation. These resources have also been translated into several languages, including Arabic.

For further information on the NCCN's ongoing efforts to define and advance cancer care globally, visit NCCN.org/global.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The NCCN celebrates its 30th anniversary as a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers dedicated to patient care, research, and education. The organization prioritizes defining and promoting quality, efficiency, fairness, and accessibility in cancer care and prevention, enabling patients worldwide to live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines® are recognized as the standard for clinical guidance in oncology, offering comprehensive, updated recommendations for treatments, prevention, and supportive services. The NCCN foundations further empower patients and caregivers, creating informed communities capable of making proactive health decisions.

For more information, visit NCCN.org.