The Victorian Melanoma Service: A 20-year review of an Australian multidisciplinary cancer service

Abstract

Australia has the highest incidence and mortality rates for melanoma in the world. The Victorian Melanoma Service began operation in 1994 as one of the first multidisciplinary melanoma clinics in Victoria. We conducted a review of the Victorian Melanoma Service database of 6721 patients and present the trends observed in a statewide referral centre in Australia. Our results highlight the importance of multidisciplinary care of melanoma patients and emphasise the significance of histological reviews and dermatological skin assessments for the detection of synchronous melanoma.

Keywords: Victorian Melanoma Service; cancer service; clinical trial; melanoma; melanoma clinic; multidisciplinary service; multidisciplinary team; pathology.