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. SPEAKERS ..read more

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 mu ..read more

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 professiona ..read more

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) plays a key role in assessing the prognosis of melanomas. In this fireside chat from our new SNB Training Program (Sentinel Node Biopsy: From guidelines to practice), MIA’s Prof Georgina Long AO, Prof John Thompson AO and A/Prof Sydney Ch’ng discuss: the history of SNB in the management of melanoma its current role in the stratification of patients into those who may benefit from adjuvant therapies verses those for whom active surveillance is more appropriate other potential benefits of SNB, including the likelihood of SNB itself reducing the risk of nodal recurrenc ..read more

Our latest podcast explores the innovative approach of neoadjuvant  immunotherapy - administering checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy before the surgical removal of  melanoma. This promising approach is creating a buzz among multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers globally as the potential  benefits for melanoma patients are being realised. Although neoadjuvant therapy is well established in oncology, using immunotherapy in melanoma has revolutionised patient outcomes through significant improvements in overall survival rates. In this engaging podcast, MIA’s Prof Georgina Lo ..read more

Lentigo maligna – a subtype of in situ melanoma – presents diagnostic and treatment challenges for clinicians. In this podcast, Dr Michael Rtshiladze leads a multidisciplinary  discussion to unravel our understanding of the pathology, diagnosis and  management of lentigo maligna, including: clinical and histological presentation tools to diagnose and monitor lesions the impact of different types of biopsies the importance of mapping the extent of lesions the challenge of surgical management in cosmetically sensitive areas the role of radiation therapy and topical treatments when to ..read more

Despite recent advances in management of primary uveal melanoma, more than half of patients develop metastatic disease – often with poor outcomes. New therapeutic approaches to metastatic disease are vital. In this podcast, A/Prof Matteo Carlino interviews fellow Medical  Oncologist Prof Georgina Long AO and Ophthalmologist A/Prof Max Conway on our latest understanding of the diagnosis and management of early and advanced uveal melanoma, including: presentation and diagnostic process current treatment options and rationale for local therapy in early melanoma determining wh ..read more

Treating clinicians rely on pathology to help diagnose and stage their patient which fundamentally determines the treatment management  plan. Therefore, it is incredibly important to get it right in the first place. In this engaging podcast aimed at GPs, our multidisciplinary experts discuss: Why can it be challenging to get the pathology right? What clinical information is important to include on the pathology request form? How is the pathology report structured? How is the specimen processed? What biopsy is key to maximising the diagnostic and prognostic interpretation of the ..read more

The role of pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is pivotal to optimal patient care. With so many disciplines relying on the pathologist for accurate diagnoses and critical pathological information, we decided to reach out to our clinical melanoma community to ask them for their critical pathology questions.  In this podcast, Prof John Thompson AO and Prof Fergal Moloney pick at the brain of the world's leading melanoma Pathologist, Prof Richard Scolyer AO, as they discuss:  The clinical information needed to aid diagnosis  The role of artificial intelligence an ..read more

Cancer drugs have rapidly evolved in the last decade. Alongside the significant benefits are new toxicity profiles that clinicians need to be aware of and manage. In this podcast, A/Prof Carlino interviews fellow Medical Oncologist Prof Georgina Long AO on the adverse events/toxicities associated with targeted therapies (combination BRAF/MEK inhibitors) and immunotherapies (anti-PD-1, anti-LAG-3 and anti-CTLA-4), particularly in melanoma, and how they should be managed. This podcast is suitable for Oncologists, Emergency Medicine Physicians, GPs, Oncology Nurses and other healthcare profession ..read more