Paediatrics

Paediatric Haematology & Oncology

The Haematology Oncology unit of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health of Tygerberg Hospital is a tertiary referral unit attached to Stellenbosch University and opened almost 30 years ago on 1 April 1983.

The unit manages children from birth to 15 years and referrals are received from both public and private healthcare facilities. The most common childhood malignancies treated are leukaemia, lymphoma, brain tumours, nephroblastoma (renal tumour) and sarcoma. Benign haematological conditions managed include congenital and acquired bleeding disorders such as haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura, aplastic anaemia, and sickle cell disease. Multi-disciplinary meetings involving radio-oncology, paediatric surgery, anatomical pathology, haematopathology and neurosurgery take place regularly. The unit staff also attends international patient discussion forums. Supporting disciplines include social work, psychology, psychiatry, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, orthopaedic surgery, ophthalmology and the other various sub-disciplines of the department of Paediatrics and Child Health. Academic ward rounds occur daily, and journal club meetings are frequently held. After treatment completion, children attend the unit's long-term follow-up clinic.

We offer a telephonic consultation service to healthcare facilities in the Tygerberg Hospital drainage area and to doctors in the private sector. The unit is involved in building capacity, teaching and training in many African countries, and  participates in national research projects and other clinical trials.

The Unit is accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a training unit for the Certificate in Paediatric Medical Oncology. 

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