Patient Stories l Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

29 Nov 2023

Revolutionary New Treatment Only Option to Treat Rare and Complex Abdominal Tumors

When Khaddouj was diagnosed with an extremely rare and difficult to treat abdominal tumor, she was told her only chance of survival was to receive a revolutionary new treatment. Thankfully, the treatment had recently become available at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Khaddouj feared the worst when she found out that she had a very rare and very advanced abdominal tumor. Doctors told her that the cancer would be very difficult to treat, and that surgery alone would not be sufficient. In fact, the condition was so uncommon and complex that in the past, patients had to travel abroad for treatment. Thankfully, a revolutionary new treatment called hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) had recently become available at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. HIPEC involves performing surgery to remove tumors and, at the same time, treating the stomach with chemicals at high temperatures to kill cancerous cells. HIPEC is a very complicated procedure, and requires a highly skilled surgical team, supported by an integrated medical team of oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, anesthesiologists and many more. Khaddouj’s surgery, which lasted around 14 hours, was successful and the team managed to control the disease. She says she is extremely thankful to God and her doctors for giving her a new life. Khaddouj’s medical team were extremely pleased with her outcome and recovery. They are proud to be able to offer patients in the UAE access to state of the art cancer treatments, allowing them to treat the most complex of conditions, locally.

16 Nov 2023

Search for World's Best Cardiac Hospital Leads Patient to Abu Dhabi

After being turned away from other hospitals due to the complexity of the heart surgery he needed, Akeef traveled to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to receive the complicated cardiac care he needed. Akeef was diagnosed with bicuspid aortic valve and congestive heart failure in December 2022 and he was critically unwell. After visiting two leading hospitals in Pakistan, he was told they couldn’t perform the surgery he needed and that his chance of survival was very low. Akeef and his twin brother set about researching the best heart surgery hospitals in the world and came across Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. They contacted International Patient Services at the hospital and within 2 days, arrived for an appointment. Akeef’s case was extremely complex and risky and would be rejected by most hospitals. Thankfully, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has the experience and multidisciplinary expertise to diagnose and treat such complicated cardiac cases. Akeef’s surgery went as planned and he recovered without any complications. He is thankful to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and looks forward to starting a new chapter in his life.

14 Nov 2023

Complex multiorgan transplant saves the life of young woman.

When Nada’s cystic fibrosis worsened, a combined double lung and liver transplant was her only hope. Thankfully, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – one of the only hospitals in the world able to perform such a complex operation – was able to find a donor and perform the operation for the first time in the UAE. Nada, a 23-year-old woman from Egypt, was suffering from end stage cystic fibrosis – a disease that had already claimed the lives of her three siblings. She was so unwell that there were no further treatment options available to her. Depending on oxygen to breathe, her only chance of survival was receiving a lung transplant. After much research, Nada and her family travelled to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. While Nada waited for a donor lung to become available, she underwent a number of tests which revealed her liver had become significantly diseased, and she would also need a liver transplant. Thankfully, a donor was found in the UAE and Nada underwent the multiorgan transplant the next day – the first time a combined double lung and liver had been performed in the UAE. Despite the complexity of the surgery, which took 14 hours to complete, it was a complete success. Nada recovered after several weeks and is now living a normal and happy life.

05 Aug 2023

Safe, Efficient and Complex Care Allows Heart Patient to Return Home

Avelino’s multiple heart conditions were putting his life at risk. Thanks to the safe, efficient, and complex care provided, he is now well and home with his family. When Avelino started experiencing severe chest pain and difficulty breathing, his family rushed him to the hospital. Doctors confirmed that he was having a heart attack. Tests revealed that Avelino had several complex heart problems, including blockages in his arteries, a large aneurysm of his aorta and that he was at risk of a tear of the aorta. Such conditions are usually treated with surgery, but it is high-risk. Doctors decided that Avelino was too sick to undergo traditional surgery – but without intervention, he wouldn’t make it. The team from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute met to discuss an alternative, non-surgical approach to address such a complex case. They decided to perform a series of minimally invasive procedures, including accessing the aorta through a small incision in the artery and using state-of-the-art laser technology to unblock the arteries. Cases such as Avelino’s, which are extremely complex and high-risk, benefit from a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, where teams work together to decide the safest treatment options, supported by the most advanced medical equipment. Avelino’s procedure went extremely well and following a period of rehabilitation, he was able to safely return home to his family.

05 Aug 2023

Bone Marrow Transplant Saves Cancer Patient

When Neville was diagnosed with blood cancer, doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi were able to offer an advanced, highly effective treatment option that would aid his full recovery. Neville was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi because he had been experiencing back pain for several months. Multiple tests were performed which revealed Neville had multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. If not treated immediately, the cancer could lead to many serious complications, including kidney failure. Neville was referred to the hospital’s Bone Marrow Transplant Center and received stem cell treatment. This involved infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells, collected from bone marrow, into the body. Thanks to such advances in the way doctors can now treat cancer, Neville was able to avoid chemotherapy. Stem cell treatment, or bone marrow transplant as it is also known, offers a very effective treatment option for certain cancers, and can prevent or delay the disease from recurring. Neville’s blood count came back to normal within days of the transplant, and he has now fully recovered from the disease. Neville says, “I am so grateful – grateful that the scientific expertise at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi enabled an immediate diagnosis, and grateful that I had access to the best possible treatment for my condition.”

03 Aug 2023

Shock Diagnosis Following Executive Health Check-up

Brian was shocked when his blood test revealed he may have cancer, as he had been feeling fine. Following successful treatment, he is now thankful to be starting a new chapter of his life. Brian admits that, like many men, he had been neglecting his health for a while. He hadn’t attended any regular check-ups, so decided to book in for an executive health screening at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. One of the many tests the executive health check includes is the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Brian’s PSA result was high, so he was referred for further tests. He underwent MRI tests and an ultrasound-guided biopsy, a unique offering at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi which offers a high degree of diagnostic accuracy. The results showed Brian had prostate cancer, so he was immediately referred for treatment. Brian underwent successful minimally invasive surgery and recovered very quickly. Two months later, the PSA test was repeated, and his level was completely normal. However, the multidisciplinary team treating Brian decided that he should undergo a course of radiation therapy, as a preventative measure to ensure there is no recurrence of cancer. Brian says, “I had a drive to survive cancer, for my wife and five children. I urge everyone to take care of themselves. As we get older, regular check-ups are essential, even if you feel fit and well.” Early detection of cancer is key. A simple blood test could save your life, or that of a loved one. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi recommends all men over the age of 40 years see a urologist regularly.

03 Aug 2023

A Story of Hope From a Breast Cancer Survivor

Sian was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, but thanks to the support of a multidisciplinary team, her friends and family, today she is well and wants to spread the message to other newly diagnosed patients that there is always hope. Sian was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer after finding a lump. She was naturally scared and anxious and felt worried about the future for the sake of her two daughters. The oncology team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, including oncology nurses, doctors, radiologists, and surgeons, worked closely with Sian to support her on her cancer journey. They educated her on the disease, discussed her diagnosis with her, and involved her in treatment decisions so that she felt empowered and more in control of her illness. Sian was also referred to the Comprehensive Lifestyle Medicine Program, the first of its kind in the region, which helps patients to understand their health and empowers them to make informed lifestyle decisions when it comes to supporting their cancer treatment. Sian had a lot of positive energy and strength throughout her cancer journey. She received chemotherapy and radiation therapy and also underwent surgery. She responded well to the treatments and her doctors were very pleased with the outcome, considering she had such an advanced disease at diagnosis. Today, thanks to the support of her multidisciplinary team, her friends and her family, Sian is well. She is keen to share her cancer story with other patients and to let them know that there is always hope. She actively raises awareness around breast cancer, campaigns for newly diagnosed patients and is a member of the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi 4th Angel Program. Breast cancer is a curable disease. Doctors urge all women to consult an expert if they notice anything unusual and to attend regular screenings.

01 Jun 2023

Complex Spinal Surgery Relieves Patient’s Chronic Pain

Complex spinal surgery was the only option to address Hanan’s chronic pain. Hanan had been living with chronic pain for a long time. She went to the Emergency Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi one day as she noticed rapid deterioration in her condition. Within the space of one month, she was experiencing progressive lower extremity weakness. She had lost her balance when trying to walk, needed the assistance of a cane, and was in excruciating pain. An MRI revealed that Hanan had something called cervical kyphosis. Due to the sudden deterioration of her condition, doctors warned that without surgery, her quality of life would be significantly compromised, she would experience reduced function and possibly lose the ability to walk. Hanan underwent neurosurgery, which is extremely complicated and complex. A multidisciplinary team of expert surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, and specialist nurses all worked together to support the procedure. As the surgery was of Hanan’s spine, the team performed neuromonitoring, to review the neural structures and support such a delicate and risky procedure. As Hanan’s spinal cord had been affected so severely for a long period of time, this procedure gave her instant relief and she experiences quick recovery post-surgery. She was able to move her arms and legs, and the weakness and numbness had subsided. Today, Hanan can do all the activities she loved previously. She is extremely active once again, enjoying things like yoga and long walks with her family. Hanan says, “Living with chronic pain is not easy. I found ways to manage it, but it came at a huge cost. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a wonderful place with a wonderful team. Supported by my husband, family and the wider community, there was no better place to receive care both pre- and post-surgery.”

01 Jun 2023

The right medical team and an early diagnosis save heart patient

Mitral valve disease often goes undiagnosed. Thanks to Iskandar’s swift diagnosis and minimally invasive surgery by a multidisciplinary team of experts at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he was able to recover quickly and get back to his fit and healthy lifestyle. Iskandar was a fit, healthy and athletic person, so when he began to experience heart palpitations, he was shocked to be diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse. Diseases of the mitral valve affect a significant proportion of the UAE population. However, many people simply associate the symptoms, such as tiredness and shortness of breath, with getting older and aren’t aware they have the condition. Luckily, Iskander was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute as soon as he noticed symptoms. A multidisciplinary team met to review his case in detail and decide on the most appropriate treatment. Sophisticated cardiac imaging technology allowed doctors to accurately identify the area of damage within Iskandar’s heart and as a team, plan the safest and most effective treatment. They were able to determine that a minimally invasive, endoscopic procedure was possible, avoiding high-risk, open-heart surgery that would aid fast recovery. Iskander’s mitral valve repair was successful, and he recovered very quickly from the procedure. He was up and about within days and today, he is back doing all the athletic activities and sports he enjoys.

Inspiring Stories from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Patients.

A Patient Regains His Voice and Confidence After Undergoing Surgery and Rehabilitation

Patient Stories