Richard A. Scolyer

AO, BMedSci, MBBS, MD, FRCPA, FRCPath, FAHMS

Dermatologist

Over 30 years Experience

Male📍 Wollstonecraft

About of Richard A. Scolyer

Richard A. Scolyer is a dermatologist based in Wollstonecraft, NSW, working from 40 Rocklands Rd, Wollstonecraft, NSW 2065, Australia.

Dermatology is a big field, and Richard’s work covers more than just everyday skin checks. Many patients come in with skin cancers or growths that need careful review. This can include basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin carcinoma and melanoma. At times, people are also referred for actinic keratosis, which is often linked to sun damage over the years.

He also looks after people who have specific skin and mole concerns. That can include conditions like familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, and situations where a mole or skin change needs closer follow-up. Melasma and other pigmentation issues are also part of the day-to-day work.

Some referrals are more complex too. Richard manages care that can involve eye melanoma and uveal melanoma, and he works through issues that need a careful, specialist approach. In many cases, patients are dealing with more than one problem at once, so clear planning and steady follow-through matter.

With over 30 years of experience, Richard has seen how skin conditions can change over time. He understands that getting results and next steps can feel stressful, especially when there’s a cancer concern. The focus stays on getting the right diagnosis and helping patients know what happens next.

Richard’s qualifications include AO, BMedSci, MBBS, MD, FRCPA, FRCPath and FAHMS. He studied MBBS at The University of Tasmania, did BMedSci at The University of Tasmania, and completed MD work on melanocytic pathology at The University of Sydney (2006).

Alongside clinical work, research and shared knowledge are part of the picture. Richard has publications listed, and that helps keep his practice aligned with current thinking in the skin space.

Clinical trials are also mentioned in his professional background. In the real world, that can mean staying across new options and evidence, and supporting care decisions when a trial-related pathway is relevant.

Whether the issue is skin cancer screening, a new or changing spot, pigmentation, or a more involved referral, Richard A. Scolyer brings a steady, practical approach to specialist dermatology care.

Education

MBBS, The University of Tasmania
BMedSci, The University of Tasmania
MD - Melanocytic Pathology, The University of Sydney, 2006

Services & Conditions Treated

MelanomaMelasmaBasal Cell Skin CancerFamilial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma SyndromeNeuroendocrine TumorSquamous Cell Skin CarcinomaTieche-Jadassohn NevusUveal MelanomaActinic KeratosisAnal CancerAnnular PancreasGiant Congenital Melanocytic NevusLung MetastasesLymphadenectomyMelanoma of the EyeMerkel Cell CarcinomaMetastatic Brain TumorMuir-Torre SyndromeAdult Soft Tissue SarcomaBrain TumorBreast CancerCerebral HypoxiaClear Cell SarcomaColitisEmbryonal Tumor with Multilayered RosettesGliomatosis CerebriHuman Papillomavirus InfectionHyperthyroidismHypomelanotic DisorderHypothyroidismLichen PlanusLiver CancerLung CancerLymphofollicular HyperplasiaMesotheliomaNeuroblastomaNon-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)RetinoblastomaSalivary Gland TumorsSunburnViral Gastroenteritis

Publications

5 total

Global Applicability of a Risk Prediction Tool for Sentinel Node Positivity in Patients With Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

JAMA dermatology • April 09, 2025

Serigne Lo, Caroline Gjorup, Annette Chakera, Lisbet Hölmich, Marc Moncrieff, Alastair Mackenzie Ross, Oliver Cassell, Jiawen Ma, Marie Weitemeyer, Roger Bagge, Siri Klausen, Vinicius Calsavara, João Duprat Neto, Eduardo Bertolli, Sydney Ch'ng, Robyn P Saw, Kerwin Shannon, Andrew Spillane, Omgo Nieweg, Jonathan Stretch, Graham Mann, Jenny L Geh, Lauren Haydu, Richard C Martin, Cimarron Sharon, Giorgos Karakousis, Mohammed Kashani Sabet, George Adigbli, Mary-ann El Sharouni, Jeffrey Gershenwald, Richard Scolyer, John Thompson, Alexander H Varey

The Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) sentinel node (SN) metastasis risk calculator provides estimates of positivity for individual patients based on 6 standard clinicopathological parameters and the full 6-parameter model has been externally validated previously using US data. However, given its geographically widespread use, further validation is required to ensure its applicability to other populations. To further externally validate the MIA SN metastasis risk calculator and increase its precision by refinement of the 95% CIs. A retrospective multicenter cohort study was carried out using data from 4 continents, including the national Danish Melanoma Database and cancer centers in the UK (n = 3), US (n = 2), New Zealand (n = 1), Sweden (n = 1), and Brazil (n = 1). All patients aged 18 years or older who had an SN biopsy performed for an invasive primary cutaneous melanoma and data available on the following parameters: SN status, patient age at diagnosis, Breslow thickness, and melanoma subtype were included (n = 15 731). Available data were also collected on ulceration status, lymphovascular invasion, and the tumor mitotic rate. Data were collected between July 2021 and December 2023, and the analysis was conducted between January 2024 and June 2024. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics for the full (6-parameter) risk prediction model. Secondary outcomes were the AUCs for each country and for the limited models (3-5 parameters), the model calibration, and the recalculated 95% CIs for the models. Decision curve analysis was performed to assess the tool's clinical utility. The whole pooled cohort consisted of 15 731 patients; 4989 had all 6 parameters available. The AUC was 73.0% (95% CI, 70.6%-75.3%) in the subset with all 6 parameters available, and 70.8%, 71.5%, and 70.1% when 1, 2, or 3 optional parameters were missing, respectively. Calibration was excellent, with an intercept and calibration slope of 0.01 (95% CI, -0.02 to 0.03) and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.90-1.16), respectively. The updated 95% CI ranges were substantially tighter, with a median reduction of more than 75%. This study found that the MIA SN-positivity calculator performed best with all 6 parameters and has been significantly improved (version 2), with the same risk point estimates but much tighter 95% CIs. These results demonstrated that the calculator was robust, precise, and applicable to geographically widespread melanoma populations.

Molecular Analysis of Cutaneous Sarcomatoid Neoplasms Frequently Identifies Melanoma Driver Variants.

The American Journal Of Surgical Pathology • April 04, 2025

Louise Jackett, Catherine Mitchell, Cameron Snell, Chelsee Hewitt, Shravan Yellenki, Hayden Snow, David Speakman, Chris Angel, Christine Khoo, Jia-min Pang, Serigne Lo, Richard Scolyer, Stephen Fox, David Gyorki

Primary cutaneous neoplasms that lack definitive histologic and immunophenotypic evidence of differentiation are a heterogeneous group of tumors with diverse prognoses and management options. These include undifferentiated and dedifferentiated melanoma (UM/DM), atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS), and sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma. Diagnosis requires careful correlation between the clinicopathologic and molecular features, and the finding of a MAPK pathway variant commonly associated with melanoma may support the diagnosis of melanoma over other tumors in this group. To examine the frequency of typical melanoma-associated MAPK pathway-related variants (BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, GNA11) among a cohort of primary cutaneous sarcomatoid neoplasms, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 37 cases of immunohistologically unclassifiable primary cutaneous neoplasms, submitted for targeted NGS analysis. All cases lacked a history of a prior relevant tumor, were negative for melanocytic markers (S100, SOX10, HMB45, and Melan-A), or showed <5% staining with 1 or 2 of these markers. Other lineage markers were negative. We identified typical melanoma driver variants in 7 cases (7/37, 19%), including NRAS (5/37, 14%), KIT (1/37, 3%), and GNAQ (1/37, 3%). There were no significant differences in age, sex, tumor site, or mitotic rate between patients with and without a melanoma driver variant. Melanoma cases were thicker (16.3 vs. 9.25 mm, P=0.041) and more likely to show epithelioid cell phenotype (P=0.008). In our cohort, nearly 20% of patients with immunohistologically unclassifiable cutaneous tumors could be reclassified as having primary UM/DM after molecular testing, thereby opening alternative management pathways.

FDG-PET associations with pathological response and survival with neoadjuvant immunotherapy for melanoma.

Journal For Immunotherapy Of Cancer • March 10, 2025

Li Zhou, Milton Barros E Silva, Edward Hsiao, Zeynep Eroglu, Shahneen Sandhu, Igor Samoylenko, Serigne Lo, Matteo Carlino, George Au Yeung, Maria Gonzalez, Andrew Spillane, Thomas Pennington, Kerwin Shannon, Rony Kapoor, Elizabeth Burton, Hussein Tawbi, Rodabe Amaria, Christian Blank, João Duprat, Rafaela Brito De Paula, David Gyorki, Robyn P Saw, Sydney Ch'ng, Robert Rawson, Richard Scolyer, Ines Pires Da Silva, Alexander C J Akkooi, Georgina Long, Alexander Menzies

Background: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has become the new standard of care for stage III melanoma. This study sought to describe the metabolic changes seen with fludeoxyglucose-18-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) following neoadjuvant immunotherapy in patients with melanoma and explore associations with pathological response and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Methods: Data from patients with macroscopic stage III nodal melanoma treated with neoadjuvant checkpoint inhibitor therapy were pooled from five melanoma centers. All patients underwent baseline and preoperative FDG-PET and CT assessments, and all had surgery. Pathological response was determined using the International Neoadjuvant Melanoma Consortium criteria, radiological response using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, and FDG-PET response using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria. The primary endpoint was to explore the associations of metabolic and radiological responses with pathological response; secondary endpoints were RFS outcomes stratified by each response category. Results: 115 patients were included, 69% male, median age 59 years (27-92), 43% BRAF mutant, and median follow-up was 22.2 months (95% CI 13.7 to 26.4). 40 patients received anti-PD-1 monotherapy, 20 patients received pembrolizumab combined with lenvatinib, and 55 patients received ipilimumab and nivolumab. The major pathological response (MPR) rate was 62%, and the pathological complete response rate was 51%. RECIST response underestimated pathological response; patients achieving RECIST stable disease (38%) had a 50% chance of achieving MPR. The FDG-PET metabolic response rate was 73%, with most achieving an MPR (80%), especially in patients with a complete metabolic response (CMR, 96% MPR). A small proportion of patients (10%) had stable metabolic disease on FDG-PET, and all these patients were non-MPR. Patients with progressive metabolic disease were also in the majority non-MPR (79%). Patients with MPR, complete response/partial response on CT, and CMR/partial metabolic response on FDG-PET had a favorable 24-month RFS (95.6%, 97.3%, and 93.7%, respectively), with FDG-PET able to identify a greater proportion of patients with favorable progression-free survival (PFS) than pathology or CT (73%, 62%, and 43%, respectively). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy has high FDG-PET response rates in melanoma. FDG-PET response associates with pathological response and confers impressive RFS, suggesting this could be an important clinical tool.

Reconsidering the surgical approach in cutaneous melanoma: does wide local excision after a complete diagnostic excision reduce the risk of recurrence?

European Journal Of Cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) • February 21, 2025

Iza Stekelenburg, Annelien Laeijendecker, Ruth Van Doorn, Annemiek Doeksen, Willeke A Blokx, Yvonne Schrage, Alexander C Van Akkooi, Richard Scolyer, Emily Postma, Mary Ann Sharouni

Objective: This study examines whether wide local excision (WLE) after complete diagnostic excision improves recurrence-free survival (RFS) in clinical stage I/II primary cutaneous melanoma. Background: Since the 1950s, melanoma treatment has included a two-step surgical approach, involving diagnostic excision followed by WLE. WLE aims to achieve locoregional disease control by eliminating potential microsatellites and, thus, minimising the risk of locoregional recurrence and melanoma-related death. However, its impact on RFS is unclear, while it adds morbidity and costs. Methods: This retrospective nationwide cohort study analysed pathology reports of a Dutch population-based cohort of newly diagnosed invasive cutaneous melanoma patients who underwent a complete diagnostic excision between January 1st, 2012, and December 31st, 2013. Data were obtained from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Database (PALGA). Patients with completely excised superficial spreading and nodular melanoma located on the trunk and upper and lower extremities were included. Cox regression showed no significant RFS benefit from WLE. Results: A total of 6189 eligible patients were included. WLE was not performed in 271 patients (4.4 %). Of those undergoing WLE (n = 5918), residual dermal invasive tumour cells were identified in 0.7 % (n = 44/5918). The overall recurrence rate was 7.7 % (n = 477/6189). Recurrence rates were 7.6 % for WLE cases (local: 2.5 %, nodal: 4.0 %, distant: 1.2 %) and 10.3 % when WLE was omitted. Cox regression showed no significant RFS benefit from WLE. Conclusions: WLE does not significantly improve RFS in patients with completely excised cutaneous superficial spreading and nodular melanoma on the trunk or extremities.

Impact of alternative diagnostic labels for melanoma in situ on management choices and psychological outcomes: protocol for an online randomised study.

BMJ Open • January 14, 2025

Zhuohan Wu, Brooke Nickel, Farzaneh Boroumand, David Elder, Peter Ferguson, Richard Scolyer, Blake O'brien, Raymond Barnhill, Adewole Adamson, Alexander C Van Akkooi, Jon Emery, Lisa Parker, Donald Low, Cynthia Low, Elspeth Davies, Sherrie Liu, Stacey Lewis, Bella Spongberg Ross, Katy Bell

Background: A diagnosis of melanoma in situ presents negligible risk to a person's lifespan or physical well-being, but existing terminology makes it difficult for patients to distinguish these from higher risk invasive melanomas. This study aims to explore whether using an alternative label for melanoma in situ may influence patients' management choices and anxiety levels. Methods: This study is a between-subjects randomised online experiment, using hypothetical scenarios. Following consent, eligible participants will be randomised 1:1:1 to three labels: 'melanoma in situ' (control), 'low-risk melanocytic neoplasm' (intervention 1) and 'low-risk melanocytic neoplasm, in situ' (intervention 2). The required sample size is 1668 people. The co-primary outcomes are (1) choice between no further surgery or further surgery to ensure clear histological margins greater than 5 mm and (2) choice between patient-initiated clinical follow-up when needed (patient-led surveillance) and regular routinely scheduled clinical follow-up (clinician-led surveillance). Secondary outcomes include diagnosis anxiety, perceived risk of invasive melanoma and of dying from melanoma and management choice anxiety (after surgery choice and follow-up choice). We will make pairwise comparisons across the three diagnostic label groups using regression models (univariable and multivariable). Background: The study has been registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000740594). Ethics approval has been received from The University of Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (2024/HE000019). The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal, and a plain language summary of the findings will be shared on the Wiser Healthcare publication page (https://www.wiserhealthcare.org.au/category/publications/). Background: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ID 386943).

View all 5 publications

Clinical Trials

1 total

Molecular Profiling and Matched Targeted Therapy for Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

RecruitingPhase 2Matched targeted therapy, Trametinib, CDK4/6+MEK inhibitor, Compassionate Access Targeted Therapy

This is a patient oriented translational research project aiming to improve clinical outcomes for patients with BRAF and NRAS wild-type unresectable Stage III or Stage IV metastatic melanoma who have progressed on, or are unable to receive standard therapy (in general, immunotherapy). Consecutive patients seen at three major clinics and fitting the broad eligibility criteria will be invited to participate. The approach is designed to test the impact of different targeted drugs on different mutations in a single type of cancer. In this project, patients will have tumour tissue genetically profiled to determine which mutation(s) are present, and will then be assigned to receive a matched drug expected to target the mutation(s) in the tumour. Where multiple targets are identified in one patient, or where multiple potential therapies would be appropriate for a single tumour mutation, the treating clinician may determine the appropriate therapeutic approach after consultation with the study team, using the latest version of library of matched therapies.

Participants: 1000

View all 1 clinical trials

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Dr Richard A. Scolyer offer?

Dr Scolyer provides a range of skin cancer and melanoma services, including assessment and treatment for melanoma, basal and squamous cell skin cancers, and related conditions. He also works with complex cases like familial melanoma syndromes and eye and brain tumour-related conditions.

Which conditions does he treat?

He treats melanoma, other skin cancers, actinic keratosis, and a variety of related conditions listed in his practice. He has experience with complex cancers and conditions affecting the skin and nervous system as shown in his scope of work.

Where is Dr Scolyer based?

He practises at 40 Rocklands Rd, Wollstonecraft, NSW 2065, Australia.

How can I book an appointment?

To book, please contact the clinic directly. They can arrange an appointment with Dr Scolyer based on availability.

How many years has he been practising?

Dr Scolyer has over 30 years of experience in his field.

What kinds of cancers are included in his specialist areas?

His work covers a broad range of cancers, including melanoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, brain tumours, and other tumours listed in his services, as well as related conditions.