Melanoma Insights for Professionals

By Melanoma Institute AustraliaMedicine Health & Fitness

Melanoma Insights for Professionals episodes

August 15, 2025Utilising melanoma risk prediction tools for newly diagnosed patients
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.
32 min
June 20, 2025Sentinel node biopsy in melanoma: Still recommended in 2025?
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.
36 min
May 14, 2025Integrating AI in melanoma care
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.
31 min
November 05, 2024The future of melanoma detection and management: Perspectives from world-leading clinicians
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
Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney |2024 Joint Australian of the Year
Prof Richard Scolyer AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Senior Staff Specialist, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney |2024 Joint Australian of the Year
Prof Susan Swetter - Professor of Dermatology, Co-Director of the Pigmented Lesion/Melanoma and Cutaneous Oncology Programs, Stanford University Medical Center and Cancer Institute | Chair, National Comprehensive Cancer Network Melanoma Panel
Prof Olivier Michelin - Chair, Department of Oncology and the Precision Oncology Service, Geneva University Hospital | Co-Director, Swiss Cancer Centre Léman| Vice-Coordinator, Translational Research Centre in Onco-Hematology

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.
40 min
September 02, 2024Unveiling melanoma research: Shaping the future with innovative research infrastructure
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
A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney
Prof Helen Rizos - Cancer Cell Biologist and Research Lead in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia
A/Prof Serigne Lo - Senior Biostatistician, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Biostatistics, The University of Sydney
Maria Gonzalez - Director of Clinical Care, Melanoma Institute Australia
Dr Nicole Caixeiro - Head of the Biospecimen Bank, Melanoma Institute Australia

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
2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference

Melanoma Education Program

MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.
30 min
June 03, 2024Transforming cancer care: Neoadjuvant therapy and trials in melanoma care
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
A/Prof Matteo Carlino - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia, Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals | Clinical Associate Professor, The University of Sydney

Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, 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

A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney
PUBLICATIONS
Blank C, Lucas MW, Scolyer RA, et al. Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Ipilimumab in
Resectable Stage III Melanoma. N Engl J Med 2024. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2402604

Patel SP, Othus M, Chen Y, et al. Neoadjuvant–Adjuvant or Adjuvant-Only Pembrolizumab in Advanced Melanoma. N Engl J Med 2023;388:813-823.

FURTHER EDUCATION
Podcast: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy: Revolutionising melanoma treatment
Video: The critical role of standardised pathological assessment in neoadjuvant therapy for melanoma: A guide for Pathologists
Conference: 2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference
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.
36 min
May 21, 2024Current and emerging biomarkers for melanoma care
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:
2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference
Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools
Melanoma Education Portal
SPEAKERS
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
A/Prof Ines Silva - Medical Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Blacktown Hospital | Research Scientist, Melanoma Institute Australia and The University of Sydney
Prof Helen Rizos - Cancer Cell Biologist and Research Lead in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences at Macquarie University | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia
A/Prof James Wilmott - Senior Scientist, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney| Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia
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.
34 min
April 02, 2024Spotlight on mucosal melanoma: Head and neck
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
A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney

Prof Georgina Long AO - Co-Medical Director, Melanoma Institute Australia | Chair, Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney

A/Prof Raewyn Campbell - Rhinologist and Anterior Skull Base Surgeon |Associate Professor, Macquarie University

Dr Robert Rawson - Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

Prof Angela Hong - Radiation Oncologist, Melanoma Institute Australia | Clinical Professor, The University of Sydney

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.
42 min
November 29, 2023Dealing with diagnostic uncertainty and borderline pathology
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.
Register now to attend the ⁠2024 Australasian Melanoma Conference⁠, hosted by Melanoma Institute Australia.
RESOURCES
Video: How to diagnose borderline cutaneous melanocytic lesions
Paper: Yeh, I. New and evolving concepts of melanocytic nevi and melanocytomas. Modern Pathology. 2020;33:1-14.
Nevus/Melanocytoma/Melanoma: An Emerging Paradigm for Classification of Melanocytic Neoplasms?. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2011;135(3): 300–306.

SPEAKERS
Dr Adrian Quek - Skin Cancer GP, Melanoma Institute Australia and Chatswood Skin Cancer Clinic

A/Prof Robyn Saw - General Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia | Head of Department in Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Associate Professor in Surgery, The University of Sydney

Prof H. Peter Soyer - Chair in Dermatology and Director of the Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland

Dr Andrew Colebatch - Staff Specialist in Anatomical Pathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital

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

For more clinical education from MIA, sign up to the Melanoma Education Portal.
42 min
September 27, 2023Melanoma: When do I scan?
With the advent of effective medical therapies for melanoma, a pertinent question has arisen: When should we scan our patients?
In this podcast, our multidisciplinary experts, led by A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng, discuss the balance of whether we should be more aggressive in our pursuit of identifying potential metastases or exercise caution to avoid unnecessary scans, radiation exposure and patient anxiety. The discussion concludes with a case study to summarise key learnings.
This podcast is suitable for Medical Oncologists, Oncologists, Surgeons, GPs, Oncology Nurses and other healthcare professionals.

RESOURCES
Melanoma Risk Prediction Tools

SPEAKERS
A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng - Plastic & Reconstructive
Surgeon and Head & Neck Surgeon, Melanoma Institute Australia, Associate Professor of Surgery, The University of Sydney
A/Prof Alexander Menzies - Medical Oncologist,
Melanoma Institute Australia, Royal North Shore and Mater Hospitals | Associate Professor of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Sydney
A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in
Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of Sydney
Dr Edward Hsiao - Radiologist and Nuclear Medicine Specialist, Mater Imaging

Dr Kevin London - Nuclear Medicine Specialist, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead | Clinical Senior Lecturer, The University of Sydney
Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (September 2023) but may not reflect the rapidly evolving treatment landscape and approvals in Australia.
For more practice-changing education, visit our Melanoma Education Portal.
MIA’s Education Program is proudly supported through unrestricted educational grants from MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb and HEINE.
43 min

About Melanoma Insights for Professionals

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Melanoma Insights for Professionals brings you conversations with leading multidisciplinary experts who break down the latest research and best practice into what it actually means in the clinic.