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Richard Scolyer

Apr 21, 2025, 17:21

Richard Scolyer: Proud of my contributions to the WHO over more than 20 years

Richard Scolyer, Senior Staff Specialist in Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, shared a post on X:

“I am incredibly proud of my contributions to the World Health Organisation (WHO) over more than 20 years! Whilst in 2004, I was thrilled to be able to share our knowledge of a rare subtype of melanoma (that is now treated differently), as a chapter writer (3rd edition), my subsequent roles got way harder but also more critical. I was appointed as a senior editor on the last 2 editions (4th and 5th editions over >10 years) of these life changing skin cancer, including diagnosis, books. It has been incredibly tough and challenging work at times but something that makes me and the other individuals involved extremely proud. Ultimately it undoubtedly saves millions of lives worldwide and improves outcomes worldwide!

Many more than a million people are diagnosed with various skin tumours each year! The WHO Classification of Skin Tumours (centred/based in Lyon, France) plays a critically important role for all people worldwide to ensure they get the correct diagnosis (and subsequently correct treatment and outcomes). The WHO brings together >100 worldwide experts representing every continent to discuss hundreds of conditions and until agreement is reached. This pushes the field forward by recognising, sub-classifying and carefully defining categories of cancer that are needed to identify new cancers, subcategories and how to recognise every tumour subtype.

I was initially invited to contribute to WHO in 2004 to join my Sydney colleagues, including Stan McCarthy and Kerry Crotty, to write a very special chapter on “desmoplastic melanoma”, a fairly rare type of melanoma but relatively more commoner in Australia. But then things changes! In about 2013, I was invited with an opportunity to become a senior editor (there was 4 of us worldwide). This meant that with only a very small number people, I was invited to lead the 4th & 5th of the WHO Classification of Skin Tumours (the 5th edition is finalised & out but not the hard copy!). It created an enormous amount of committed, hardwork over years but would literally change many skin diseases (and their treatment). Whilst it has taken me many thousands of hours, I couldn’t be prouder of the results and outcomes and their effects on people worldwide!

WHO’s committed hard work has been amazing. I could not be prouder of my contributions! Thank you Dr Ian Cree and your team for your support, commitment and hardwork. I was very touched by you and your team’s incredibly kind comments that I received recently!”

Richard Scolyer: Proud of my contributions to the WHO over more than 20 years