Dr. Saladin Sawan Consultant Surgeon in Complex & Oncology Gynecology and Robotics
Years of Experience : 15+
Nationality : British
Languages Known : English, Arabic, Spanish
Book AppointmentBiography
Dr. Saladin Sawan is a distinguished Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FRCOG) and serves as Vice Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee at the RCOG. With a PhD in ovarian cancer metastasis and an MRes in cancer immunology, both from leading cancer research institutes, Dr. Sawan has made significant contributions to understanding and advancing treatments in his field. His clinical training includes work at some of the most reputable cancer centers in the UK, specializing in gynaecological oncology, where he has honed his expertise in complex surgical procedures. Throughout his career, Dr. Sawan has performed over 1,500 surgical procedures, including 185 robotic operations. His surgical proficiency spans laparoscopic, robotic, and open surgeries in gynaecology, complex obstetrics, and oncology. He is adept in performing a range of intricate procedures, including robotic and laparoscopic hysterectomies, lymphadenectomies, cytoreductive surgeries, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Dr. Sawan is also a certified colposcopist with a focus on vulval conditions, capable of performing advanced treatments such as LEEP, laser therapies, and vulvectomy with flap reconstruction. In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Sawan has held various leadership roles, establishing and directing surgical robotics programs and leading gynecological oncology services. His commitment to research and education is evident in his numerous academic appointments and contributions to pioneering studies in cancer treatment. Dr. Sawan’s work has been recognized through various awards and grants, reflecting his dedication to improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of gynecological oncology.
Awards & Achievements
- Cancer Research UK Future Leaders Award: 2022.
- Top Abstract Presentation, European Society of Gynecological Oncology (ESGO): 2020.
- Best Young Investigator Award, British Gynecological Cancer Society (BGCS): 2019.
- Clinical Excellence Award, University Hospital: 2018.
Research & Publications
- Sawan, S., Iqbal, F., Al-Shamsi, H.O. (2024). “Gynecologic Malignancies in the UAE”. In: Al-Shamsi, H.O. (eds) Cancer Care in the United Arab Emirates. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-6794-0_34
- Kwong FLA, Kristunas C, Davenport C, Sawan S, et al. “Symptom-triggered testing detects early stage and low volume resectable advanced stage ovarian cancer” IJGC, Published Online First: 13 August 2024. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2024-005371
- Saladin Sawan. “What's new in guidance? Scientific Impact Paper summary: Robotic surgery in gynecology”, TOG, Jan 2024
- Marielle A. E. Nobbenhuis, Nahid Gul, Peter Barton-Smith, Orfhlaith O'Sullivan, Esther Moss, Thomas E. J. Ind, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Scientific Impact Paper No. 71: “Robotic surgery in gynecology”, BJOG. 2022;00:1–8 (The Scientific Advisory Committee lead reviewer was: Mr S Sawan MRCOG)
- Muta Tah Hira, M.A. Razzaque, Claudio Angione, James Scrivens, Saladin Sawan, and Mosharraf Sarkar. “Integrated multi-omics analysis of ovarian cancer using variational autoencoders”, Scientific Reports, 6265 (2021)
- Humaid O Al-Shamsi, et al. Faryal Iqbal, Mohd Subhi Al Saad, Priyanka Ashish Dhemre, Fady Georges Hachem, et al. and Saladin Sawan. “The Burden of Gynecologic Cancers in the UAE”, Scientific R&C, July 2021
- Lisa A. Sheehan, Akash M. Mehta, Saladin Sawan, Sanjeev P. Dayal, Faheez Mohamed, Brendan J. Moran and Tom D. Cecil. “Preserving fertility in pseudomyxoma peritonei, a novel approach”, Pleura and Peritoneum, Feb 2017
- S. Sawan, R.J. Edmondson. “Should we worry about obesity in our ovarian cancer patients, too?” BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 123 (2016)
- Stern PL, Brazzatti J, Sawan S, McGinn OJ. “Understanding and exploiting 5T4 oncofoetal glycoprotein expression”, Seminars in Cancer Biology, 2014
- Owen J. McGinn, Georgi Marinov, Saladin Sawan, and Peter L. Stern. “CXCL12 receptor preference, signal transduction, biological response and the expression of 5T4 oncofoetal glycoprotein”, Journal of Cell Science, 2012
- Sawan, S, Burt, D, Stern, P, Holland, C and Elkord, E. “Circulating regulatory T cells in endometrial cancer: a role for age and menopausal status”, Immunological Investigations - A Journal of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, 2011
- Sawan S; Mugnai R; Lopes A; Hughes A; Edmondson RJ. “Lower limb lymphoedema and vulval cancer: feasibility of prophylactic compression garments & validation of leg volume measurement”, International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2009
- U El-Khani, A Darwish, S Sawan, H Ashrafian, D Nott and A Darzi. “Estimating Medical harm and Patient Safety in Disaster Zones: a Prospective International Mixed-Methodology Study”, Emergency Medicine Journal, submitted Sep 2023
- Saladin Sawan, Noushin Eftekhari, Kristofer Linton-Reid, Nicholas Wood, Tricia Murdock, Eric Aboagye and Claudio Angione. “Artificial intelligence in Gynecological Oncology”, on behalf of the RCOG, in preparation
- Saladin Sawan, Willemien van Driel, Pat Caswell, Jurjees Hasan and Brendon Moran. “Intraperitoneal therapy in gynecological tumors”, on behalf of the RCOG, in preparation
- Management of Maternal Hemorrhage & obstetric trauma in War Zone (Invited Speaker, future event), MENA PAS 2025 Conference in Baghdad – Iraq: 2025
- Robotic Surgery in Women’s Health: How to integrate into UAE Health Care (Invited Speaker), Arab Health 2023 - Dubai World Trade Center: 2023
- Borderline Ovarian Tumors: Vague history and Future Perspectives (Invited Speaker), Saudi German Hospital, Dubai: 2022
- Sweet Spot and Firefly: ssmc’s gynecology robotic surgery program. In this talk, I am presenting to healthcare professionals across the Abu Dhabi health network how I am leading the project of establishing Abu Dhabi’s only gynecology robotic program: 2022
- What is the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in Gynecological Cancers? (Invited Speaker), Corniche Hospital International Conference, Abu Dhabi: 2022
- What are the best diagnostic tests to evaluate complex ovarian cysts in 2022? (Invited Speaker), Corniche Hospital International Conference, Abu Dhabi: 2022
- Molecular stratification of endometrial cancer & targeted therapy, Abu Dhabi (Invited Speaker and session chair): 2021
- National Rapid Diagnostic Centre (RDC), NHS England & NHS Improvement, De Vere Holborn Bars, London. (Invited panel member) I presented the ovarian cancer optimal pathway which I developed with my colleagues in the NCA: 2020
- Mid-Atlantic Ovarian Cancer Symposium, Bethesda Marriott Hotel, Washington DC. (Invited panel member) by Dr. P. Sugarbaker to discuss the UK’s perspective on the role of Cytoreductive surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the management of advanced ovarian cancer: 2019
- Ovarian Cancer or Cancer on Ovary’, (Invited Speaker), The 5th International Conference of Iraqi Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2018, Baghdad: 2018
Education & Training
- PhD in Ovarian Cancer Metastasis, University of Manchester: 2018
- MRes in Cancer Immunology, University of Manchester: 2015
- FRCOG (Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), United Kingdom: 2022
- Specialist Training in Gynecological Oncology, UK Cancer Centers: 2014
Expertise
- Robotic and Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- Pelvic and Para-aortic Lymphadenectomy
- Cytoreductive Surgery, including Bowel Resection and HIPEC
- Pelvic Exenteration and Vulvectomy
- Caesarean Hysterectomy and Postpartum Hemorrhage Management
- Diagnostic Procedures like Hysteroscopy, Laparoscopy, and Ovarian Cystectomy
Blogs
Benefits of Breastfeeding and When to Use Formula
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Navigating Menopause: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, Management, and Wellness
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Cervical Cancer – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
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