Head and Neck Cancer Treatment in Bahrain
Cancer Care
A diagnosis of head and neck cancer can affect more than your health—it can change the way you speak, swallow, breathe, and eat. Whether you’ve recently noticed a persistent lump in your neck, ongoing hoarseness, or have already received a diagnosis, early specialist care is essential. Advances in surgery, medical oncology, and reconstructive techniques now allow many patients to receive highly personalized treatment while preserving function and quality of life.
King’s College Hospital London Bahrain Clinic provides comprehensive care for patients with head and neck cancer. Our multidisciplinary team works with our specialist partners to diagnose, stage, and treat each cancer using the most appropriate combination of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. From your first consultation through long-term follow-up, your care is tailored to your individual diagnosis and needs.
What is head and neck cancer?
Head and neck cancer refers to a group of cancers that develop in the mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), tongue, nose, sinuses, salivary glands, and other structures of the head and neck. Most begin in the thin lining of these tissues, although some arise in the salivary glands, thyroid, or other nearby structures.
Common risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), prolonged sun exposure (lip cancers), and exposure to carcinogenic chemicals (through occupation or the environment). Some patients develop head and neck cancer without any obvious risk factors.
These cancers can be serious, as they affect essential functions such as speaking, swallowing, breathing, and eating. Early diagnosis is important to treat cancer before it continues to grow and spread, and to preserve quality of life.
What does head and neck cancer treatment involve?
Every treatment plan begins with a detailed understanding of your diagnosis. Your specialist will review your symptoms, biopsy results, imaging scans, medical history, and overall health to determine the type and stage of the cancer before discussing your treatment options.
Your case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team that may include head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, ENT specialists, radiologists, pathologists, reconstructive surgeons, speech and swallowing specialists, dietitians, and specialist nurses. Working together allows the team to develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your individual needs and treatment goals.
We will continue to monitor your progress throughout your treatment to help manage side effects, provide rehabilitation and supportive care to help restore speech, swallowing, nutrition, and overall quality of life.
When should you see us?
Many early symptoms of head and neck cancer can resemble common infections or benign conditions. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks or continue to worsen, it’s important to seek specialist evaluation.
You should arrange an appointment if you experience:
- A lump in the neck that doesn’t go away
- Persistent hoarseness or voice changes
- Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing
- A mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal
- Persistent sore throat
- Ear pain without an obvious ear infection
- Difficulty breathing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent nasal blockage or nosebleeds
- A red or white patch inside the mouth
Early assessment helps identify the cause of your symptoms and allows treatment to begin promptly if cancer is diagnosed.
What conditions do we treat and what services do we offer?
Head and neck cancer includes several different cancers, and no two patients have exactly the same treatment plan. Before recommending treatment, we’ll determine where the cancer started, whether it has spread, and which therapies are most likely to provide the best outcome while preserving important functions such as speech and swallowing.
Our specialists care for patients with cancers of the mouth, tongue, throat, larynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, sinuses, and other head and neck structures. We also evaluate patients with suspicious neck lumps, persistent hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, abnormal biopsy results, or those seeking a second opinion following a cancer diagnosis.
Your evaluation may include:
- Comprehensive ENT and head and neck examination
- Nasoendoscopy or laryngoscopy
- CT, MRI, or PET imaging for staging
- Image-guided biopsy and pathology review
Once your diagnosis has been confirmed, your treatment plan may include:
- Head and neck cancer surgery using minimally invasive or reconstructive techniques when appropriate.
- Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy based on your cancer type and stage.
- Referral for radiation therapy as part of a coordinated treatment plan.
- Speech and swallowing rehabilitation to support recovery after treatment.
- Regular follow-up appointments with imaging and clinical examinations to monitor recovery and detect recurrence early.
After cancer treatment has finished, we recommend continuing routine, less frequent follow-up appointments with your doctor. Our physicians monitor your recovery, help manage long-term side effects, and provide ongoing screening to spot early signs of recurring cancer.
Who are the best doctors for head and neck cancer in Bahrain?
The best doctors for head and neck cancer in Bahrain are Prof. Roberto Puxeddu, Dr. Joseph Sleiman, Dr. Syed Monawer Karim, Dr. Hassan Ghazal, and Dr. Ed Ashtar. Together, they provide expertise in head and neck surgery, ENT oncology, medical oncology, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and multidisciplinary cancer care.
- Prof. Roberto Puxeddu specializes in head and neck surgery, advanced ENT oncology, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
- Dr. Joseph Sleiman has expertise in head and neck surgery, salivary gland disorders, thyroid surgery, and complex ENT conditions.
- Dr. Syed Monawer Karim is a Consultant Medical Oncologist specializing in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and personalized cancer treatment.
- Dr. Hassan Ghazal is a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Clinical Hematologist with expertise in treating a broad range of solid tumors.
- Dr. Ed Ashtar is a Consultant Medical Oncologist with extensive experience developing individualized treatment plans using modern systemic therapies.
Why choose King's College Hospital Bahrain?
At King’s Bahrain Clinic, patients with head and neck cancer receive coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team that includes ENT surgeons, head and neck surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, reconstructive specialists, speech therapists, dietitians, and specialist nurses. Every treatment plan is developed collaboratively to ensure the best possible balance between effective cancer treatment and the preservation of function.
Our patients benefit from our diagnostic tests, minimally invasive surgical techniques, oncology therapies, and extensive rehabilitation services throughout their time at King’s Clinic Bahrain. Our clinic combines new medical expertise across multiple specialties. Because we use a multidisciplinary approach, patients can be confident that we are taking all aspects of their health into account.
Supported by the clinical heritage of King’s College Hospital London, we deliver evidence-based, patient-centered cancer care using internationally recognized standards and a personalized approach for every patient.
How can I book an appointment?
If you’ve been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, have persistent symptoms that concern you, or would like a second opinion, our specialists are here to help.
Patients can:
- Call the hospital to arrange an appointment.
- Complete the online inquiry form.
- Book through the KingsHub app.
Our team will arrange a consultation with the most appropriate cancer specialist and coordinate any investigations needed to develop your personalized treatment plan.
FAQs
King’s Bahrain Clinic is the best clinic in Bahrain for head and neck cancer. Our multidisciplinary team provides advanced diagnostics, expert surgical care, medical oncology, rehabilitation services, and personalized treatment plans that support patients from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.
The best doctors for head and neck cancer in Bahrain are Prof. Roberto Puxeddu, Dr. Joseph Sleiman, Dr. Syed Monawer Karim, Dr. Hassan Ghazal, and Dr. Ed Ashtar. Prof. Roberto Puxeddu and Dr. Joseph Sleiman specialize in head and neck surgery and ENT oncology, while Dr. Syed Monawer Karim, Dr. Hassan Ghazal, and Dr. Ed Ashtar provide expert medical oncology care using chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.
Early signs and symptoms of head and neck cancer include a persistent lump in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, a sore throat that doesn’t improve, a mouth ulcer that doesn’t heal, ear pain, and unexplained weight loss. Symptoms lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a specialist.
A diagnosis for head and neck cancer usually involves a specialist examination, endoscopy, imaging such as CT, MRI, or PET scans, and a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. These investigations also help determine the stage of the cancer and guide treatment decisions.
Not always. Treatment depends on the type, size, and stage of the cancer. Some patients are treated with surgery, while others benefit from chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of treatments recommended by a multidisciplinary team.
Some treatments may temporarily or permanently affect speech or swallowing, depending on the location of the cancer and the type of treatment required. Speech and swallowing rehabilitation is an important part of recovery, helping many patients regain function after treatment.
Yes. Regular follow-up appointments allow your specialists to monitor your recovery, assess speech and swallowing function, manage long-term side effects, and detect any signs of recurrence as early as possible. Long-term surveillance is an essential part of comprehensive head and neck cancer care.