Overview
Background
Emeritus Professor Mark Smithers is a surgical oncologist who specialises in surgery for oesophago-gastric diseases, melanoma, advanced skin cancer and soft tissue sarcoma. He was the Director of the Upper GI and Soft Tissue Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Brisbane, Australia from 1998 - 2023. Commencing his academic career with the University of Queensland in 1987, he progressed to be the Mayne Chair in Surgery and head of the Academy of Surgery. He is the second University of Queensland Medical graduate to be appointed to this role. His research has been focussed on the development and assessment of outcomes from minimally invasive upper GI surgery, and trials assessing the role of perioperative multidisciplinary therapy for esophageal and gastric cancer. As well he has led, or been involved with, clinical trials from phase I to III, for all stages of melanoma through his role as the Chair of the Queensland Melanoma Project. More recently he has been involved with the assessment of access to, and outcomes from, surgery for cancer in Queensland, Australia.
He has overseen the administration and development of the surgery curriculum, and the teaching, in the Academy of Surgery, in the UQ Faculty of Medicine. He was on a number of committees relevant to the implementation of the UQ MD design course. He has held various leadership and committee roles with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, as well as leadership roles, including the Presidency, in the Australian and New Zealand Oesophago Gastric Surgeons Association. He has also been on the committees of international organisations related to oesophageal and gastric surgery. He has published 250 articles, eight book chapters, and has been on the editorial board of a number of surgical journals.
He has been recognised for his clinical and academic roles by the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM). The citation reads, "for service to medicine in the fields of gastro-intestinal and melanoma surgery, to medical education and to professional organisations". The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons awarded him the Sir Hugh Devine medal, for services to surgery and the community. This is the College’s highest honour. Internationally, he has been awarded an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and recently, in the United States, he was elected as an Honarary Fellow of the American Surgical Association.
Availability
- Professor Mark Smithers is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, The University of Queensland
- Honorary Fellow, American Surgical Association, American Surgical Association
- Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
- Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Royal College of Surgeons of England
Research interests
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Cutaneous Melanoma
epidemiology, public health issues and management of all stages
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Management of Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer
Investigation and management of benign and malignant diseases of the oesophagus and the stomach.
Works
Search Professor Mark Smithers’s works on UQ eSpace
2005
Journal Article
Surgery alone versus chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for resectable cancer of the oesophagus: a randomised controlled phase III trial
Burmeister, B. H., Smithers, B. M., Gebski, V., Fitzgerald, L., Simes, R. J., Devitt, P., Ackland, S., Gotley, D. C., Joseph, D., Millar, J., North, J., Walpole, E. T. and Denham, J. W. (2005). Surgery alone versus chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for resectable cancer of the oesophagus: a randomised controlled phase III trial. Lancet Oncology, 6 (9), 659-668. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(05)70288-6
2005
Journal Article
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in resectable oesophageal cancer
Pramesh, C. S., Mistry, Rajesh C., Laskar, Sarbani G., Burmeister, Bryan H. and Smithers, B. Mark (2005). Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in resectable oesophageal cancer. Lancet Oncology, 6 (11), 824-825. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(05)70401-0
2005
Conference Publication
A prospective phase II study of postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery for malignant melanoma – Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) study 96.06
Burmeister, B. H., Smithers, B. M., Burmeister, E. A., Baumann, K. C., Davis, S. R., Krawitz, H., Johnson, C. and Spry N. (2005). A prospective phase II study of postoperative radiation therapy following nodal surgery for malignant melanoma – Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) study 96.06. Clinical Oncological Society of Australia 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting 2005, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 16-18 November 2005. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2005.00027.x
2005
Journal Article
Novel approach to oesophageal resection
Smithers, Mark (2005). Novel approach to oesophageal resection. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 75 (12), 1029-1029. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2005.03661.x
2005
Conference Publication
Preoperative adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for localised oesophageal cancer – study 9401 and the aftermath
Burmeister, B. H. and Smithers, B. M. (2005). Preoperative adjuvant chemoradiation therapy for localised oesophageal cancer – study 9401 and the aftermath. Clinical Oncological Society of Australia 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting 2005, Brisbane, Australia, 16-18 November, 2005. Blackwell Publishing Asia. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-7563.2005.00027.x
2005
Journal Article
Feasibility of chemoradiation therapy with protracted infusion of 5-fluorouracil for esophageal cancer patients not suitable for cisplatin
Burmeister, B., Walpole, E. T., Burmeister, E., Thomas, J., Thomson, D. B., Harvey, J., Smithers, B. M. and Gotley, D. C. (2005). Feasibility of chemoradiation therapy with protracted infusion of 5-fluorouracil for esophageal cancer patients not suitable for cisplatin. International Journal of Clinical Oncology, 10 (4), 256-261. doi: 10.1007/s10147-005-0506-9
2004
Journal Article
Chemoradiation therapy is effective for the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia
Harvey, J. A., Bessell, J. R., Beller, E., Thomas, J., Gotley, D. C., Burmeister, B. H., Walpole, E. T., Thomson, D. B., Martin, I., Doyle, L., Burmeister, E. and Smithers, B. M. (2004). Chemoradiation therapy is effective for the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia. Diseases of The Esophagus, 17 (3), 260-265. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-2050.2004.00420.x
2004
Book Chapter
Skin Cancer and Melanoma
Burmeister, B. H., Poulsen, M., Smithers, B. M., Kennedy, D. and Thompson, D. (2004). Skin Cancer and Melanoma. UICC Manual for Clinical Oncology. (pp. 319-334) edited by R. E. Pollock, J. H. Doroshow, D. Khayat, A. Nakao and B. O'Sullivan. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Liss.
2004
Journal Article
Use of oesophagogastroscopy to assess the response of oesophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy
Brown, WA, Thomas, J, Gotley, D, Burmeister, BH, Lim, KH, Martin, I, Walpole, ET, Thomson, DB, Harvey, JA and Smithers, BM (2004). Use of oesophagogastroscopy to assess the response of oesophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy. British Journal of Surgery, 91 (2), 199-204. doi: 10.1002/bjs.4411
2004
Book Chapter
Primary melanomas of the gastrointestinal tract
Smithers, B. M. (2004). Primary melanomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Textbook of Melanoma. (pp. 648-662) edited by J. Thompson. London, United Kingdom: Martin Dunitz.
2004
Book Chapter
Isolated limb perfusion and infusion: preclinical studies and future directions
Smithers, B. Mark and De Wilt, Johannes H. W. (2004). Isolated limb perfusion and infusion: preclinical studies and future directions. Textbook of Melanoma. (pp. 438-442) edited by Thompson, John F., Morton, Donald L. and Kroon, Bin B.R.. London, United Kingdom: Martin Dunitz.
2003
Journal Article
High rate of detection of primary aldosteronism, including surgically treatable forms, after 'non-selective' screening of hypertensive patients
Stowasser, Michael, Gordon, Richard D., Gunasekera, Thanuja G., Cowley, Diane C., Ward, Gregory, Archibald, Colin and Smithers, B. Mark (2003). High rate of detection of primary aldosteronism, including surgically treatable forms, after 'non-selective' screening of hypertensive patients. Journal of Hypertension, 21 (11), 2149-2157. doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000098141.70956.53
2003
Conference Publication
A Phase I study of paclitaxel, fluorouracil and radiation for advanced esophageal carcinoma
Thomson, D. B., Walpole, E., Burmeister, B., Burmeister, E., Harvey, J., Woodward, N., Gotley, D. and Smithers, M. (2003). A Phase I study of paclitaxel, fluorouracil and radiation for advanced esophageal carcinoma. 2003 ASCO Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL United States, 31 May - 3 June 2003.
2003
Journal Article
Relapse patterns after chemo-radiation for carcinoma of the oesophagus
Denham, J. W., Steigler, A., Kilmurray, J., Wratten, C., Burmeister, B., Lamb, D. S., Joseph, D., Delaney, G., Christie, D., Jamieson, G., Smithers, B. M., Ackland, S. and Walpole, E. (2003). Relapse patterns after chemo-radiation for carcinoma of the oesophagus. Clinical Oncology, 15 (3), 98-108. doi: 10.1053/clon.2003.0212
2003
Conference Publication
A randomized controlled trial of surgery alone compared with chemoradiation & surgery: a focus on the surgical outcomes
Smithers, B. M., Burmeister, B. H., Fitzgerald, L., Gebski, V., Denham, J., Devitt, P., Ackland, S., Joseph, D., Millar, J., North, J., Walpole, E. and Gotley, D. (2003). A randomized controlled trial of surgery alone compared with chemoradiation & surgery: a focus on the surgical outcomes. 56th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society of Surgical Oncology, Los Angeles, CA, United States, 5-9 March 2003. New York, NY, United States: Springer.
2003
Conference Publication
A randomised controlled trial of surgery alone compared with chemoradiation and surgery: A focus on surgical outcomes
Smithers, B. M. and Burmeister, B. (2003). A randomised controlled trial of surgery alone compared with chemoradiation and surgery: A focus on surgical outcomes. 56th Annual Cancer Symposium of the Society-of-Surgical-Oncology, Los Angeles, CA, 5-9 March, 2003. Hagerstown, MD: Springer. doi: 10.1245/s10434-006-8001-8
2003
Journal Article
Clinical response after intradermal immature dendritic cell vaccination in metastatic melanoma is associated with immune response to particulate antigen
Smithers, Mark, O'Connell, Kathleen, MacFadyen, Susan, Chambers, Melita, Greenwood, Kathryn, Boyce, Amanda, Abdul-Jabbar, Ibtissam, Barker, Kylie, Grimmett, Karen, Walpole, Euan and Thomas, Ranjeny (2003). Clinical response after intradermal immature dendritic cell vaccination in metastatic melanoma is associated with immune response to particulate antigen. Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy, 52 (1), 41-52. doi: 10.1007/s00262-002-0318-y
2003
Conference Publication
The role of surgery in the management of locally advanced oesophageal carcinoma
Brown, W. A., Thomas, J., Gotley, D. C., Lim, K. H., Martin, I. and Smithers, B. M. (2003). The role of surgery in the management of locally advanced oesophageal carcinoma. Annual Scientific Congress – Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 2003. Carlton, Vic. Australia: Blackwells Publishing. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2003.00009.x
2003
Conference Publication
Symptomatic and functional outcome 1 year after reoperative antireflux surgery for recurrent reflux, dysphagia and gas bloat
Byrne, J. P., Menzies, B., Martin, I. J., Smithers, B. M., Nathanson, L. and Gotley, D. C. (2003). Symptomatic and functional outcome 1 year after reoperative antireflux surgery for recurrent reflux, dysphagia and gas bloat. Annual Meeting of the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, 26-27 September 2002. West Sussex, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.
2003
Conference Publication
Assessing the response of eosophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy using oesophagogastroscopy
Brown, W. A., Thomas, J., Gotley, D. C., Lim, K. H., Martin, I., Burmeister, B., Harvey, J., Walpole, E., Thomson, D. and Smithers, B. M. (2003). Assessing the response of eosophageal carcinoma to neoadjuvant therapy using oesophagogastroscopy. RACS Annual Scientific Congress 2003, Brisbane, Australia, 5-9 May, 2003. Carlton, Vic.: Blackwell Publishing.. doi: 10.1046/j.1445-2197.73.s.9.x
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Smithers is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Assessment of the impact of treating service characteristics on surgical and oncological outcomes for patients with Retroperitoneal and Inguinal Sarcomas in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Barbour
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Doctor Philosophy
New tools for the multi-modal evaluation of pancreatic cancer and its precursor neoplasms.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Cavallucci
-
Master Philosophy
Factors Influencing Anastomotic Complications after Oesophagectomy
Associate Advisor
Completed supervision
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2020
Master Philosophy
An assessment of the impacts of centralising complex upper-gastrointestinal surgery in Queensland
Principal Advisor
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2024
Master Philosophy
In vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) with 2-Dimensional (2D) COrrelated Spectroscopy (COSY) applied to breast cancer
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Natural history of high-risk cutaneous primary melanoma and risk factors for disease progression
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kiarash Khosrotehrani
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
An evaluation of the role of locoregional treatments for the management of in-transit melanoma metastases
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Soyer, Associate Professor Helmut Schaider
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Mark Smithers directly for media enquiries about:
- Advanced endoscopic surgery
- Cancer surgery
- Endoscopic surgery
- General surgery
- Melanoma
- Surgery - cancer
- Surgery - oesophageal, gastric cancer
- Surgery - upper GI
- Upper GI surgery
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