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.

In this episode, we explore how melanoma risk prediction tools are transforming clinical decision-making for newly diagnosed patients. These tools, developed by Melanoma Institute Australia and freely available at melanomarisk.org.au, help clinicians tailor care and improve outcomes.

Our multidisciplinary experts provide practical guidance on using tools to predict sentinel node metastasis, recurrence risk and more. Through real-world case examples and expert insights, this episode offers valuable strategies for integrating personalised risk assessment into your practice.

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

Resources:

• Melanoma Risk Prediction Calculators
• MIA's Patient Resources
• Melanoma Education Portal

Speakers:

• Prof Anne Cust - Cancer Epidemiologist and Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia | Interim Director, Daffodil Centre | Chair, Cancer Council National Skin Cancer Committee

• A/Prof Alex Varey - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia and Westmead Hospital | Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Sydney

• A/Prof Linda Martin - Director of Dermatology Services, Melanoma Institute Australia | Staff Specialist, Sydney Children’s Hospital | Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of NSW

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 BMS, MSD and HEINE.

In this episode of Melanoma Insights for Professionals, we explore the evolving role of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in melanoma management—particularly in the modern context of perioperative drug therapy.

Our expert panel unpacks current evidence, shifting guidelines and real-world clinical considerations influencing when and why SNB is performed. Topics include prognostic value, surgical decision-making, pathological assessment, patient-centred perspectives and the impact of new treatment approaches on traditional staging practices.

This podcast is produced by Melanoma Institute Australia and is suitable for multidisciplinary specialists, primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals.

RESOURCES:

• Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools
• Patient brochure on SNB
• MIA's Melanoma Education Portal (Clinicians only)

SPEAKERS:

• A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney
• 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
• A/Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals | Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Sydney
• Dr Robert Rawson - Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia |Tissue Pathology Staff Specialist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (May 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.

In this episode of Melanoma Insights for Professionals, we explore the cutting-edge role of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing melanoma.

Join Dermatologists Prof Pascale Guitera and Prof Victoria Mar and Pathologist Dr Nigel Mayer as they unpack how AI is transforming clinical practice—from lesion detection and triage to deep learning in pathology and improving clinical education.

Discover the promise, limitations and ethical considerations of integrating AI into dermatology and pathology, and hear what's next on the horizon for both clinicians and patients.

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

SPEAKERS

• Prof Pascale Guitera - Dermatologist and Education Committee Chair, Melanoma Institute Australia | Director, Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

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

• Dr Nigel Maher - Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair of the AI Working Group, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (May 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.

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

In this special podcast recorded from the 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference, we hear from our international keynote speakers, Prof Susan Swetter and Prof Olivier Michelin, about what excites them in the field of melanoma research.

Interviewed by AMC2024 Co-Chairs, Prof Georgina Long AO and Prof Richard Scolyer AO, our guests provide their multidisciplinary perspectives and highlight the importance of working together to make an impact in melanoma prevention and patient care.

Dermatologist Prof Swetter discusses the evolving role of AI in dermatology and the clinical diagnosis of melanoma, and highlights the opportunity for improved prevention strategies in the US to reduce the incidence of melanoma.

Prof Michelin explores how we’re tackling advanced melanoma, in particular to maximize our current treatment tools and manage drug toxicities. He also discusses expanding access to neoadjuvant therapies and the potential of TIL therapies, alongside AI advancements in histopathological diagnosis to personalise treatment approaches.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and researchers.

SPEAKERS

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (October 2024) 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 MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

Comprehensive infrastructure is essential to driving research progress and improving patient care.

In this podcast, A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng leads an insightful discussion on the groundbreaking research infrastructure that underpins the many groundbreaking achievements at Melanoma Institute Australia. The discussion highlights the Institute’s clinical trial program, translational research, biospecimen bank and melanoma research database, offering a closer look at the critical elements driving progress.

This podcast is suitable for multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, researchers and clinical trials staff.

SPEAKERS

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (August 2024) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.

LINKS

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

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is transforming patient care in the field of melanoma. New research recently presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting is set to change melanoma treatment protocols globally, and likely to have significant impact on treatment for other cancers too.

In this podcast, A/Prof Matt Carlino leads an engaging discussion with MIA’s Prof Georgina Long AO, A/Prof Alex Menzies and A/Prof Alex van Akkooi as they discuss the pivotal results from the NADINA trial and how this will undoubtedly change the standard of care for Stage III melanoma patients. They also discuss the practical implications for implementing this treatment regime, including relevant patient populations, toxicity, impacts for surgery and future directions.

This podcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists, Pathologists, Researchers, GPs Oncology Nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is produced by Melanoma Institute Australia.

SPEAKERS

PUBLICATIONS

FURTHER EDUCATION

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (2024) 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 MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.

Biomarkers are revolutionising our understanding of melanoma by providing valuable information about a patient's unique tumour characteristics which can help guide clinical decision making.

In this podcast, A/Prof Alex Menzies leads a multidisciplinary discussion on the current state of biomarker application and future prospects of biomarkers in melanoma care. They discuss emerging liquid biomarkers, such as ctDNA, MIA’s personalised immunotherapy platform that is trying to predict the likelihood of response and select patients for treatment, and the role of the gut microbiome as a potential biomarker in response and toxicity.

This podcast from Melanoma Institute Australia is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Surgical Oncologists, Researchers, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

LINKS:

SPEAKERS

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (April 2024) 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 MSD, BMS and HEINE.

Mucosal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of melanoma that arises from the mucous membrane.

In this podcast, we focus on mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Led by A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng, our multidisciplinary experts discuss how it differs from cutaneous melanoma, staging of mucosal melanoma, management of the disease and future treatments.

The discussion concludes with a case study to summarise key learnings.

This podcast is suitable for Plastic Surgeons, Surgical Oncologists, Dermatologists, Medical Oncologists, Pathologists, GPs, Nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Register now to attend the 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference, hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia.

SPEAKERS

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (March 2024) 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 MSD, BMS and HEINE.

Diagnostic uncertainty in the context of cutaneous melanoma can have significant impact on patient care.

In this podcast, our multidisciplinary experts, led by Dr Adrian Quek, discuss the challenges faced in classifying melanocytic lesions that fall into a diagnostic grey area, and explore the terminology, evolving classifications and the impact of diagnostic uncertainty on patient outcomes.

From molecular changes to clinical perspectives, this engaging discussion provides a comprehensive exploration of the complexities surrounding borderline lesions, and emphasises the need for experienced multidisciplinary professionals in ensuring accurate diagnoses and ideal management.

This podcast is suitable for Pathologists, Dermatologists, Surgeons, Oncologists, GPs and other healthcare professionals.

SPEAKERS

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (November 2023) but may

For more clinical education from MIA, sign up to the Melanoma Education Portal.