Beyond treatment: Managing long-term toxicities in melanoma

As advances in melanoma treatment continue to improve survival, clinicians are increasingly encountering patients living with the long-term effects of their treatment. But what happens when treatment ends and the side effects persist?

In this episode of Melanoma Insights for Professionals, A/Prof Robyn Saw leads a multidisciplinary discussion to explore the chronic toxicities associated with melanoma treatment, including immunotherapy-related side effects, surgical complications and their impact on patients' physical and psychological wellbeing.

The panel of experts discuss:

• Systemic toxicities: Long-term and potentially irreversible effects of immunotherapy, alongside the common and sometimes persistent side effects of targeted therapy.
• Cutaneous toxicities: Immunotherapy-related skin conditions, chronic itch and rashes, and the importance of early diagnosis and referral.
• Surgical complications: Long-term effects such as scarring, neuralgia and lymphoedema, and strategies for minimising their impact.
• Psychological wellbeing: The emotional challenges of survivorship and the impact of chronic side effects on quality of life.
• Multidisciplinary survivorship care: Co-ordinating ongoing care, managing persistent toxicities and supporting patients beyond active treatment.

The panel also explores emerging approaches to reducing treatment-related morbidity, including treatment de-escalation, and the importance of looking beyond cancer control to consider patients' long-term function, wellbeing and quality of life.

This podcast is suitable for medical oncologists, surgeons, dermatologists, skin cancer doctors, GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

RESOURCES

• MIA Patient Resources
• Cancer Council’s Understanding Immunotherapy Fact Sheet
• MIA's Melanoma Education Portal

REFERENCES

• Haanen J, Obeid M, Spain L, et al; ESMO Guidelines Committee. Management of toxicities from immunotherapy: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2022 Dec;33(12):1217-1238.

• Abraham PE, Johnson DB. Long-Term Toxicities of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Drugs. 2025 Dec;85(12):1535-1549

SPEAKERS

• A/Prof Robyn Saw - Surgical Oncologist

Head of Department in Melanoma and Surgical Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Faculty Member, Melanoma Institute Australia

• A/Prof Linda Martin - Dermatologist

Director of Dermatologist Services, Melanoma Institute Australia, Staff Specialist in Paediatric Dermatology, Sydney Children’s Hospital | Associate Professor, University of NSW

• Dr Rebecca Symons - Medical Oncologist

Melanoma Institute Australia

• Dr Lisa Gomes - Senior Clinical Psychologist

Melanoma Institute Australia

Please note that this podcast was accurate at the time of recording (October 2026) 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.