Melanoma and Surgical Oncology

TEAM

A/Prof Robyn Saw
Head of Department, Research & Education Lead

A/Prof Sydney Ch'ng

Dr Kerwin Shannon

Dr Thomas Pennington

A/Prof Jonathan Stretch

Dr Michael Rtshiladze

A/Prof Alexander van Akkooi

About the Department

The department of melanoma and surgical oncology at RPA is a quaternary referral centre and treats the largest number of melanoma cases in NSW each year, with melanoma being Australia's third most common cancer. The team has seven specialist surgeons who provide management of a range of complex skin tumours, with a particular emphasis on melanoma.

Achievements

The department is recognised for its:

• World renowned for the development of isolated limb infusion;
  
• Treatment of largest number of melanoma cases in NSW annually; and
• Largest melanoma patient database and primary tumour biospecimen bank world-wide

Key Research Themes

• Lymphatic mapping
  
• International staging system for Melanoma
  
• Tumour mitotic rate as predictor of survival after melanoma
  
• Surgical management of Melanoma
  
• Biospecimen banking

Key Education & Training Activities

• Graduate Medical Program - University of Sydney
  
• Dedicated training sessions for surgical trainees
  
• PhD, Masters and Honours student supervision

Areas of Expertise

• Isolated limb infusion technique to deliver regional chemotherapy for melanoma
  
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures
  
• Multidisciplinary management of stage III melanoma
  
• Complex skin tumour management including melanoma and merkel cell carcinoma

Useful Links

• Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA)
  
• University of Sydney
  
• Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre

Contact
(same as the website)

A/Prof Robyn Saw
(02) 9515 5072

Gloucester House 3, RPAH, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, 2050
Robyn.saw@melanoma.org.au
Melanoma Institute Australia