A Brief History of the Cape Town Ocular Oncology Service
The foundations of ocular oncology (eye cancer) treatment in Cape Town were established at Groote Schuur Hospital through the pioneering and collaborative efforts of both ophthalmologists and radiation oncologists.
The development of a specialised ocular radiotherapy service in Cape Town began with Professor Rosall Sealy in the early 1970’s. Prof. Sealy became head of the radiation oncology unit in 1964. He was recognised as a world leader in the role of radiation in treating eye tumours, particularly the use of radioactive isotopes around the eye. He fostered the practice of oncology at Groote Schuur hospital through combined multidisciplinary clinics. He co-operated with other departments and institutions worldwide. he understood the importance of relationships with others and summed this up as: “It must always be two – ways.”
Prof. Sealy pioneered the use of low-energy isotopes, which enabled sensitive structures to be protected. Brachytherapy delivery devices where then designed to focus the radiation energy to the tumour site, as well as minimise any collateral damage to the normal eye structures. He retired in 1987, handing over the mantle to Professor Claire Stannard.
Under Professor Stannard the innovative designs of custom implants were refined further. Her ability to improvise and modify led to brachytherapy treatments unavailable in many other centres. Professor Stannard had a special interest in the treatment of retinoblastoma and her skill at indirect examination of the retina together with her attention to detail led her working closely with ophthalmologists on each case with a full understanding of ocular physiology.
Dr Karin Lecuona succeeded Dr Adrian Barron in 1999 to head the Ocular Oncology Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital and dedicated her entire career to the management and advancement of ocular and orbital tumours, retiring in 2017. After graduating as an ophthalmologist at the University of Cape Town she completed her fellowship training under Professor Bertil Damato at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Unit in the United Kingdom. In collaboration with Prof. Stannard the brachytherapy service for both adult and paediatric ocular tumours developed into a unit of excellence with the highest emphasis on effectively managing eye cancers with dignity and passion.
Ophthalmologists and radiation oncologists at Groote Schuur Hospital have worked closely in a team since the introduction of brachytherapy implants. Dr. Lecuona’s greatest contributions to the oncology service will undoubtedly be in retinoblastoma management. Navigating the hurdles of resource limitation and inter-disciplinary collaboration she transformed the treatment priorities from life-saving to both life and sight saving treatment. She established the use of Intra-arterial and Intravitreal Chemotherapy as new treatment options for Retinoblastoma. Together with Professor Stannard, they developed a National Treatment Protocol for the treatment of Retinoblastoma which is accepted by the South African Children Cancer Study Group.
Ocular Oncology Team in 2008
Meet the Doctors
Drs Mustak, Lapere and Scholtz work closely together to bring you the highest level of care for your eye cancer. Our open-door policy and team-based approach between ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists (Dr Julie Wetter and her team), ophthalmic technicians and medical physicists to put you, your cancer and your quality of life first.
Dr Steven Lapere
Dr Steven Lapere is a sessional specialist at the Ocular Oncology Unit at Groote Schuur Hospital and is in practice with Dr Raoul Scholtz at Melrose House, Claremont. On completion of his specialist training at the University of Cape Town, he sub-specialized in the field of Retina and Ocular Oncology at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Canada, through the University of Alberta from 2015 to 2017. In this 2-year, highly sought-after fellowship, he was exposed to the latest expertise and world-years in their discipline.
Dr Raoul Scholtz
Dr Raoul Scholtz has been involved in both the Retina and Ocular Oncology Unit at Schuur Hospital as a full-time specialist from 1992 to 1995, and thereafter in a sessional capacity with his full-time practice being at Melrose House in Claremont. He has been actively involved in the diagnosis and management of choroidal melanomas from 1992, both at the Newlands Surgical facility and later at Peninsula Eye Hospital.
Dr Hamzah Mustak
Dr Hamzah Mustak succeeded his mentor Dr. Karin Lecuona at Groote Schuur Hospital in 2017. After specializing, he completed his fellowship in oculoplastic and orbital surgery at the Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. He spent a year in fellowship training under world renowned orbital surgeon, Professor Robert Goldberg, gaining exposure to evaluation and management of eyelid tumours, orbital tumours and inflammatory disease, and cosmetic oculoplastic surgery. He returned to resume his consultant post at Groote Schuur Hospital with the objective of building on the service developed by his predecessor by establishing a comprehensive ophthalmic oncology service.
Dr Julie Wetter
Dr Julie Wetter is a radiation oncologist working at Groote Schuur Hospital. She heads the ocular brachytherapy team at radiation oncology and designs the custom iodine plaques, together with her team of highly competent registrars, medical physicists and plaque construction (mould room) personnel. Each patient requiring brachytherapy treatment is seen by a radiation oncologist (Dr Wetter or a member of her team) and their management is discussed at a weekly combined meeting between ophthalmology and radiation oncology, whereafter a tailored treatment plan is formulated and discussed with the patient.
Drs Mustak, Lapere and Scholtz work closely together to bring you the highest level of care for your eye cancer. Our open-door policy and team-based approach between ophthalmologists, radiation oncologists (Dr Julie Wetter and her team), ophthalmic technicians and medical physicists to put you, your cancer and your quality of life first.
Weekly combined ocular oncology meeting between ophthalmology and radiation oncology, 2017.