The department sees approximately 2800 new patients per year. The number of new cases has increased by approximately 10% per annum. Our patients are referred from surrounding provinces including Mpumalanga and Northern province.

Radiation Oncology utilizes specialized equipment for treatment delivery. The department has currently three linear accelerators with plans to install another two by June 2020. Linear accelerators deliver high energy photons used to deliver treatments externally: External Beam radiotherapy.  We offer brachytherapy for cervix, endometrial and oesophageal cancers. Brachytherapy is the use of radiotherapy sources in close proximity or in contact with the tumor and is beneficial in diseases where high doses cannot be delivered through external beam radiotherapy.

Commonly treated cancers:

• Cervix cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• CNS tumors
• GIT cancers: Rectum, anal cancer

Referring a patient

Patients are referred via secondary hospitals (Kalafong, Thembisa, and Dr. George Mukhari Hospital) as well as surrounding region facilities in Mpumalanga. We are privileged to be involved in Multi-disciplinary meeting with various disciplines at Steve Biko Academic hospital including: Surgery (GIT/Breast), Head and neck, Gynaecology oncology, Urology, Nuclear Medicine, Neurosurgery and Paediatric oncology.

Our MDT are held on the following days:

• Monday: Breast
• Tuesday: Nuclear Medicine/Neurosurgery
• Wednesday: Paediatric Oncology
• Thursday: GIT/Head and neck

Patients can be referred via email on [email protected]

Emergencies should be discussed with the doctor on call. This can be done by calling 012 354 1553 during office hours or the Steve Biko Academic hospital switchboard after hours. Referral should be via a medical doctor and must include a brief background, copy of histology report and the results of special investigations. The patient will not be seen if there is no confirmed diagnosis of cancer.