Melanoma Insights for Professionals

How will melanoma detection change over the next decade?

In this episode from MIA’s podcast Melanoma Insights for Professionals, our multidisciplinary experts explore how targeted screening, personalised risk assessment, advanced imaging, artificial intelligence and evolving models of care could transform the way melanoma is detected.

The discussion provides insight into how we can identify those most likely to benefit from screening, reduce unnecessary biopsies and surveillance, and make better use of Australia’s limited healthcare workforce and resources.

This podcast is suitable for dermatologists, skin cancer doctors, GPs, nurses, public health researchers and other healthcare professionals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify key risk factors for melanoma and describe how risk stratification can be used to inform personalised prevention, skin checks and surveillance.

• Discuss the potential benefits, harms and limitations of targeted melanoma screening and emerging detection technologies, including imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Discuss the implications of evolving melanoma detection strategies for general practice, including workforce requirements, models of care, triage and referral pathways.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

• Yan S, Yu Z, Primiero C, Vico-Alonso C, et al. Amultimodal vision foundation model for clinical dermatology. Nat Med. 2025 Aug;31(8):2691-2702.
• Snoswell CL, Caffery LJ, Whitty JA, et al. Cost-effectiveness of Skin Cancer Referraland Consultation Using Teledermoscopy in Australia. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(6):694–700.
• MIA's Melanoma Risk Prediction Calculators
• More information on the Roadmap for a National Targeted Melanoma Screening Program.

ACCREDITATION

This podcast has been accredited for 0.5 EA CPD hours in the RACGP and SkinPro CPD Programs. To obtain a Certificate of Completion and have CPD hours uploaded on your behalf, please listen to this podcast via the Melanoma Education Portal (free registration required).

SPEAKERS

Prof Pascale Guitera
Director of the Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Professorial Research Fellow, The University of Sydney | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

Prof Rachael Morton

Director of Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, The Sydney Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

Prof Victoria Mar

Director of the Victorian Melanoma Service at The Alfred | Professor of DermatoOncology, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University

Dr Amelia Smit
Senior Research Fellow in Cancer Epidemiology , The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (September 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from BMS, MSD and HEINE.

In this episode from MIA’s podcast Melanoma Insights for Professionals, our experts explore the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in delivering contemporary melanoma care. Hear how melanoma multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) bring together diverse expertise to navigate increasingly complex treatment pathways, discuss challenging cases and identify opportunities for patients to participate in clinical trials.

The discussion provides insight into how MDTs operate in practice, the value they bring to patient outcomes, and how collaboration between clinicians and researchers continues to drive progress.

The panel also explores why clinical trials remain fundamental to advancing melanoma care, how practice-changing evidence has shaped current standards of treatment, and what emerging developments may define the future of melanoma management.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary specialists, clinical trial researchers and other healthcare professionals.

REFERENCE

• GV Long, et al. A phase 2 study of neoadjuvant nivolumab (nivo) + relatlimab (rela) in high-risk stage II cutaneous melanoma (NeoReNi). J Clin Oncol 44, 9502-9502(2026).

SPEAKERS

• Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Surgical Oncologist | Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist and Medical Director | Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney and Royal North Shore Hospital

• Maria Gonzalez - CEO and former Head of Clinical Trials | Melanoma Institute Australia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (June 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

Melanoma Institute Australia’s Education Program⁠ is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from BMS, MSD and HEINE.

In our final episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts discuss the future of immunotherapy, separating hype from reality and exploring the next frontier of cancer treatment.

From cellular therapies and personalised cancer vaccines to mRNA technology and biomarker-driven treatment selection, the panel examines the innovations that could reshape melanoma care over the next decade and the challenges that remain before these therapies become routine clinical practice.

Led by Prof Georgina Long AO, the panel of experts discuss:

• why melanoma continues to lead the global immunotherapy revolution
• the promise and limitations of TIL therapy, TCR-T cells and other cellular therapies
• how mRNA technology could transform cancer treatment beyond vaccines
• the rise of personalised cancer vaccines
• why biomarkers will be critical to the future of precision immunotherapy.

Be sure to take a look at our earlier episodes from this series.

This special edition vodcast from ⁠Melanoma Institute Australia⁠ is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia
• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (April 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

This special vodcast is an initiative of ⁠⁠Melanoma Institute Australia⁠⁠ and made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

For more practise-changing education, visit MIA's ⁠⁠Melanoma Education Portal⁠⁠.

In our fourth episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts discuss one of the most rapidly evolving areas in melanoma care: immunotherapy treatment strategy.

Drawing on decades of combined clinical experience, the panel explores how treatment paradigms are shifting from decisions around monotherapy versus combination immunotherapy, to increasingly nuanced conversations about treatment duration, rechallenge after progression and retreatment following toxicity.

Led by Prof Georgina Long AO, the panel of experts deliver candid expert debate, practical insights and clinical nuance as they explore the evolving landscape of immunotherapy treatment decisions in melanoma care. The panel discusses:     

• when to stop immunotherapy and why less treatment may sometimes be enough
• how PET complete metabolic response (CMR) is influencing treatment duration decisions
• rechallenge strategies after progression or immune-related toxicity
• managing patients after ipilimumab/nivolumab toxicity
• the growing move from adjuvant to neoadjuvant treatment approaches.

The discussion also tackles the biology behind durable immune responses, the role of surveillance imaging, and the emerging concept of “definitive immunotherapy”, highlighting how melanoma continues to lead the way in reshaping cancer care.

Be sure to take a look at our earlier episodes from this series.

This special edition vodcast from Melanoma Institute Australia is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia

• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (April 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

This special vodcast is an initiative of ⁠Melanoma Institute Australia⁠ and made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

For more practise-changing education, visit MIA's ⁠Melanoma Education Portal⁠.

Here's a sneak peak for our upcoming episode of Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma. In this episode, our experts discuss one of the most rapidly evolving areas in melanoma care: immunotherapy treatment strategy.

Look out for Episode 4, Melanoma Treatment Strategy: Expert Perspectives, dropping on Monday 1 June.

In our third episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts focus on one of the most important challenges in modern cancer care: immunotherapy toxicity.

From subtle early warning signs to life-threatening immune-related adverse events, this episode explores how clinicians can better predict, recognise and manage toxicity while still maximising the life-saving potential of immunotherapy.

Led by Prof Georgina Long AO, the panel of experts share real-world insights from decades of combined experience, including:

• how to educate patients to improve early reporting of symptoms
• when to pause treatment and why "less can be more"
• practical approaches to managing colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and neurological toxicities
• the evolving role of steroids, infliximab and targeted immunosuppression
• why early intervention can improve both quality of life and survival outcomes.

Packed with nuanced clinical discussion, relatable patient scenarios and candid expert debate, this episode delivers valuable insights for healthcare professionals using immunotherapy across melanoma and other cancer settings.

Be sure to take a look at our earlier episodes from this series.

This special edition vodcast from Melanoma Institute Australia is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia

• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (April 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

This special vodcast is an initiative of Melanoma Institute Australia and made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

For more practise-changing education, visit the Melanoma Education Portal.

In our second episode of our special vodcast series, Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma, our experts tackle one of the biggest challenges in modern oncology: how do we make smarter immunotherapy decisions for individual patients?

The panel explores the real-world factors that shape treatment selection in advanced melanoma; from tumour burden, brain and liver metastases, and BRAF mutation status, to patient age, fitness and comorbidities. They unpack the evolving role of combination immunotherapy,including PD-1 monotherapy, ipilimumab/nivolumab and newer LAG-3 combinations, while weighing the balance between efficacy and toxicity.

The discussion also dives into the promise and limitationsof biomarkers such as PD-L1, tumour mutational burden (TMB), interferon gamma signatures and MSI-high status, and examines why predicting response to immunotherapy remains one of the field’s greatest challenges.

Blending practical clinical insight with emerging research,this episode offers a thoughtful and highly relevant discussion on personalising immunotherapy in the pursuit of more durable outcomes, and ultimately, cure.

This vodcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

• Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia
• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (April 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

This special vodcast is an initiative of Melanoma Institute Australia and was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

In this opening episode of our special vodcast series “Redefining Immunotherapy: Lessons from Melanoma”, our world-leading Medical Oncologists set the stage for a compelling five-part series exploring how immunotherapy is reshaping cancer care.

Led by Prof Georgina Long AO, this engaging discussion unpacks how tumours evade the immune system, how checkpoint inhibitors work and why responses can be so durable. They also discuss how immunotherapy differs from chemotherapy and targeted therapy—shifting treatment from directly attacking cancer to activating the body’s own immune response.

Drawing on both clinical experience and emerging research, this episode sets the foundation for the series ahead—challenging traditional paradigms and offering a practical, clinician-focused lens on how immunotherapy is reshaping cancer care across tumour types.

This vodcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncology Nurses and other health professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Prof Georgina Long AO - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

• Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
• A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia
• A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (April 2026) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

This special vodcast is an initiative of Melanoma Institute Australia and was possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb.

For more practice-changing education, visit MIA's Melanoma Education Portal.

As patients transition from treatment to routine monitoring, clinicians play a crucial part in detecting recurrence early, supporting wellbeing, and guiding patients through survivorship.

In the latest episode of our podcast Melanoma Insights for Professionals, we explore the essential role of follow-up care in melanoma management.

Our multidisciplinary experts provide an engaging and practical discussion to help strengthen your approach to melanoma follow-up care and covers:

• why follow-up schedules vary and how clinicians tailor them
• stage-specific approaches for all stages of melanoma
• the role of dermatological surveillance and patient education
• supporting psychological wellbeing, including managing scanxiety.

This podcast is suitable for Surgeons, Dermatologists, Skin Cancer GPs, GPs, Nurses and other health professionals.

If you require a Statement of Completion for your CPD records, please listen to this podcast via the the Melanoma Education Portal.

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Robyn Saw - Surgical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia | Head of Department in Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Associate Professor in Surgery, The University of Sydney
• Dr Mary-Ann El Sharouni - Dermatologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
• Claire Gore - Senior Clinical Psychologist, Melanoma Institute Australia

RESOURCES

• MIA’s Patient Resources (including Guides like Melanoma Prevention and Early Detection Guide and Patient Fact Sheet such as Scanxiety and How to cope with the fear of melanoma returning)

• Cancer Council’s SunSmart Global UV app

Please note that this presentation was accurate at the time of recording (November 2025) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from BMS, MSD and HEINE.

As melanoma in situ (MIS) diagnoses rise, concerns about overdiagnosis are growing — with real implications for patients, clinicians and the health system.

In this episode of our podcast Melanoma Insights for Professionals, experts from dermatology, pathology, psychology and research come together to explore the drivers of overdiagnosis, the psychological impact of an MIS label, and the role of emerging diagnostic tools and data.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary specialist, primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals.

SPEAKERS

• Dr Peter Ferguson - Pathologist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Melanoma Institute Australia
• Dr Christoph Sinz - Confocal Microscopy Dermatologist, Melanoma Institute Australia
• Claire Gore - Senior Clinical Psychologist, Melanoma Institute Australia
• Dr Ismael Vergara - Senior Computational Biologist, Melanoma Institute Australia | Adjunct Senior Lecturer, The University of Sydney

RESOURCES

• MIA’s Patient Guides (e.g. Your Guide to Melanoma In-Situ)
• MIA’s Patient Fact Sheets (e.g. Scanxiety)

REFERENCES

• Bjørch MF, Gram EG, Brodersen JB Overdiagnosis in malignant melanoma: a scoping review BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2024;29:17-28.
• Cramb SM, Duncan EW, Aitken JF, Soyer HP, Mengersen KL, Baade PD. Geographical patterns in melanoma incidence across Australia: Can thickness differentials reveal the key drivers? Ann Cancer Epidemiol 2020;4:11
• Daniel Lindsay, Katy J L Bell, Catherine M Olsen, David C Whiteman, Thanya Pathirana, Louisa G Collins, Estimating the magnitude and healthcare costs of melanoma in situand thin invasive melanoma overdiagnosis in Australia British Journal of Dermatology, 2024;191(6): 906–913,
• Patel VR, Roberson ML, Pignone MP, Adamson AS. Risk of Mortality After a Diagnosis of Melanoma In Situ. JAMA Dermatol.2023;159(7):703–710.

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (August 2025) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

MIA's Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from Bristol Myers Squibb, MSD and HEINE.