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Nabil F. Saba

Nabil F. Saba, MD, FACP

4.8242 ratings

Medical Oncology

Telehealth Visits Available
Need help scheduling? Call (404) 778-0278

Highlights

Languages

  • English
  • French
  • Arabic

About Nabil F. Saba

Emory Affiliation

Emory Clinic - School of Medicine Faculty
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Emory Healthcare Network
Emory Physician Group Practice

Academic Title

Professor

Director, Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Year Started Practicing

1999

About the Provider

Nabil F. Saba, MD, FACP, is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of head and neck cancers. Dr. Saba is professor and vice chair in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, and the Inaugural Lynne and Howard Halpern Chair in Head and Neck Cancer Research. He holds a joint appointment as professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. He serves as director of the Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Program and is leader of the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Program at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University.

Dr. Saba is a widely-recognized expert in immunotherapy for head and neck cancer and upper aero-digestive malignancies. His work is focused on translational research and the study and development of novel therapeutic agents and modalities in these diseases. He is an international authority as to the management of recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancers. He has been principal investigator in more than 50 clinical trials and chairs national as well as investigator initiated multi-institution studies focusing on novel approaches for treating head and neck and esophageal cancer. Dr Saba has been instrumental in establishing the head and neck cancer research working group at Winship Cancer Institute and is the contact principal investigator of the Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) grant of the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN).

Dr. Saba is the elected co-chair of the Head and Neck Cancer NCI steering committee. He has served for two terms as chair and chair emeritus of the National Cancer Institute's recurrent metastatic as well as rare tumor task forces of the HNCA NCI steering committee. He has been an active member of the NRG Oncology and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Head and Neck Cancer Core Committees, and chairs three NCI cooperative group trials in the field of head and neck oncology under the ECOG-ACRIN and NRG groups. Dr Saba has received competitive NIH funding investigating novel genomic approaches in HPV related and unrelated OPCA and is the recipient of intramural funding studying this disease. He has published more than 350 peer reviewed manuscripts and textbook chapters and is editor of two textbooks: “Esophageal Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy” published in two editions and “Sino-Nasal and Skull Base Malignancies”. He is associate editor of JNCI, and Head Neck and served as a member of the ASCO Guidelines Committee.

Dr. Saba earned his Medical Degree from the American University of Beirut Medical School. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, and a Clinical Fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at Brown University School of Medicine. He subsequently completed a Bone Marrow Transplant Fellowship at the University of Toronto Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Professional Memberships

  • American Head and Neck Cancer Society
  • American College of Radiology (Head and Neck Panel)
  • American College of Physicians, Fellow
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • European Society of Clinical Oncology
  • Massachusetts Medical Society

Interpretive Services

To provide the highest quality of care, interpreter services may be utilized to ensure proper communication of medical information for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and non-English speaking patients or family members.

Awards

  • Atlanta Magazine's "Top Doctors", 2005, 2016-2025
  • Outstanding reviewer for journal, Cancer, 2017
  • Castle Connolly Top Doctors, 2011 and 2014
  • Distinguished Doctor, Expert Network, 2015
  • Recognition for outstanding contribution to the Fellowship program, University of Minnesota, Hematology Oncology and transplant section, 2003
  • Dean's Honor List, American University of Beirut, 1984-1990

Video

Locations

  1. Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown

Expertise

Education

  • Fellowship: Princess Margaret Hosp-CAN, Medical Oncology, 1999
  • Fellowship: Brown University, Hematology & Oncology, 1997
  • Residency: Faulkner Hospital, Internal Medicine, 1994
  • Internship: Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, Internal Medicine, 1992
  • Medical Education: American University of Beirut, MD, 1990

Board Certifications

  • Medical Oncology: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1997
  • Hematology: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1997

Ratings & Reviews

4.8 out of 5

242 ratings

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Provider showed concern
Provider explained things clearly
Provider discussed treatment options
Provider included you in decisions
Likelihood of recommending this provider
Search reviews
    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/27/2026

    Face the best information and explanations that I have received since diagnosis, including those from MSK.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/5/2026

    Everyone was on top of the game

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/5/2026

    Very good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/3/2026

    He explained very well the reasons for the radioactive medication, answered questions about my current cancers, and my risks for future cancers. I was surprised to have 2 other interns or doctors in with Dr Saba

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/8/2026

    Dr. Saba is a true gentleman! Very courteous to both my wife and myself. Including her in all conversations! He is very understanding of the human condition and treating us with respect ALWAYS!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/14/2025

    Dr Saba took the time on this visit to explain several issues we had not understood in the past. He also listened to our concerns and ordered further tests/reports deemed necessary. We appreciated the time he took on this visit to communicate well.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/11/2025

    Very Good Doctor

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/9/2025

    Explained complicated mutation information in a way that I could understand it.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/1/2025

    Just great people

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 10/9/2025

    Very nice Dr. Answers questions and is very clear.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/23/2025

    Good

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 9/3/2025

    Grate

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/17/2025

    Doctor and his staff was very helpful

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/24/2025

    We had a very good experience.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/11/2025

    Great

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/21/2025

    Always a great experience dealing with Dr. Saba.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/7/2025

    Dr Daba is always EXCELLENT & the way he interacts with the staff. Especially working with the clinical Yrial representative, Cecelia. She is also very attentive.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/16/2025

    Dr Saba is a Godsend.

    4 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 4/3/2025

    I sensed the Dr was not fully up to date with my case, he was not sure of my last chemo treatment and had to check the chart to confirm. I would of liked to learn more from him about my future prognosis and options may be,

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/27/2025

    Once Dr. Saba arrived the visit went very well. It was very encouraging to hear that I should live a normal life span, even with thyroid cancer.We discussed in depth 3 different treatment options and schedule going forward.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 3/12/2025

    Dr. Saba doesn't listen or show empathy well. He constantly interrupts. We had not spoken to him in 9 months, and a lot had happened in that time. He got very offended when I told him my feelings of being "left in the wind" and tried to end the call. It would be better for him to listen and not argue, then, after he has heard and understood what happened, he could give his opinion. He definitely makes you feel like you are just a number. He never even reviewed the scans or contacted us in December when the last scans were done. If there were other doctors that could handle my health, I would choose someone else. He has horrible bedside manner. But he is the only doctor avail. Sorry to be so negative, but this has been a problem with him since day one.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/25/2025

    Dr. Saba is simply amazing I am blown away by him and all my other doctors at Emory. They really go the extra mile to let you know they care!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/21/2025

    I think Dr Saba and the entire Winship crew are great

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 2/13/2025

    I left not feeling that I have been given enough info to be clear on were I stand as far as the treatment options and what to expect.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/24/2025

    It went well

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 1/1/2025

    Dr. Saba is absolutely the best!!!

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 12/25/2024

    Excellent treatment & advice. Restored some much needed meds to counteract side effects from thie infusions.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/30/2024

    Northside Hospital providers recommended surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation. We sought a second opinion at Emory. At our first Emory visit Dr Saba recommended immunotherapy in lieu of chemotherapy. We proceeded with Emory Winship Cancer Institute and after 10 months Dr Saba says there is no evidence of cancer. We have told our very large family and many more that Emory is the place to go for cancer immunotherapy.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/22/2024

    Dr Saba is an attentive and caring professional.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 11/16/2024

    Dr Saba was excellent

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/16/2024

    Dr Saba was so patient explaining the lab results. He made it understandable.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/9/2024

    I brought up concerns regarding side effects and treatment options, they were not volunteered by Dr Saba, in fact I felt dismissed with my concerns

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 8/1/2024

    Dr. Saba very friendly, warm and caring. He Always addresses all of my concerns and will go over any type of procedure in a very detailed manner that is easy to understand. I would definitely 100% recommend any of the physicians that have treated me at Winship to any of my family or friends.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/30/2024

    Emory Is exceptional In every way

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 7/13/2024

    Dr. Saba gave me good responses to my plan to see if I would be okay for thyroid surgery. Then he helped arrange for a CT scan appointment for me before I see the Emory surgeon.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/20/2024

    It was all good news.

    5 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/18/2024

    It was a good initial visit.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 6/15/2024

    It was just a lot to take in, but we understood the Doctor was saying overall about the treatment and hopefully the out come .

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/2/2024

    Dr'did not offer any specific info for patient with critical cancer. Did not answer all questions and stated I would be called to set up appt next week. Was not called and happened to see appt on My Chart. Appt was not set for the next week as stated but the following week.

    3 out of 5 stars
    Reviewed on 5/1/2024

    Seems like members of the team didn't know what each other was doing