Cancer research in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional mapping study of historical growth, thematic analysis, collaboration patterns, and future directions

Cancer is a growing health burden in Saudi Arabia, necessitating targeted research to improve its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This study aims to map Saudi Cancer Research (SCR) trends, productivity, thematic evolution, collaboration patterns, and emerging research areas. A cross-sectional bibliometric analysis based on Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines was conducted using the Scopus database. A multistep Medical Subject Headings-based keyword strategy identified cancer-related publications affiliated with Saudi institutions. The study comprised 4 parts: (1) global cancer research involving Saudi affiliations (N = 40,180; 1961-2024), (2) collaborative Saudi-international articles (N = 18,145; 2020-2024), (3) Saudi-only research outputs (N = 9319; 1961-2024), and (4) original articles produced independently by Saudi institutions (N = 4240; 2020-2024). Data were analyzed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and SPSS for productivity, keyword co-occurrence, author impact (h-index, m-index, and g-index), and thematic clustering. Between 1961 and 2024, SCR exhibited exponential growth, increasing from single-digit annual publications to 5707 in 2024. Original research dominated (80.2%), and collaboration spanned 124 countries, with Egypt, India, and the United States as top partners. King Saud University led the output and funding. Thematic mapping has revealed a shift from foundational topics (e.g., chemotherapy and inflammation) to advanced themes such as molecular docking, deep learning, and drug discovery. From 2020 to 2024, over 58% of SCR was produced, reflecting strong national prioritization and increasing engagement in cutting-edge, multidisciplinary, and collaborative cancer research. Cancer research in Saudi Arabia has grown substantially over the decades, both in terms of volume and thematic diversity. This multilayered bibliometric assessment highlights key contributors, evolving research directions, and gaps to inform future national cancer research priorities and innovation strategies.