Professor Mark Smithers
Professor

Mark Smithers

Email: 

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

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Health Sciences Oncology and carcinogenesis

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

  • Cutaneous Melanoma

    epidemiology, public health issues and management of all stages

  • Management of Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer

    Investigation and management of benign and malignant diseases of the oesophagus and the stomach.

Search Professor Mark Smithers’s works on UQ eSpace

414 works between 1983 and 2025
All (414) Book (1) Journal Article (281) Conference Publication (123) Book Chapter (9)

161 - 180 of 414 works

2017

Journal Article

Protocol for the TIDAL Melanoma Study: topical imiquimod or diphenylcyclopropenone for the management of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases-a phase II, single centre, randomised, pilot study

Read, Tavis, Webber, Scott, Thomas, Janine, Wagels, Michael, Schaider, Helmut, Soyer, H. Peter and Smithers, B. Mark (2017). Protocol for the TIDAL Melanoma Study: topical imiquimod or diphenylcyclopropenone for the management of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases-a phase II, single centre, randomised, pilot study. BMJ Open, 7 (10) e016816, 1-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016816

Protocol for the TIDAL Melanoma Study: topical imiquimod or diphenylcyclopropenone for the management of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases-a phase II, single centre, randomised, pilot study

2017

Journal Article

Associations of statins and diabetes with diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous melanoma

von Schuckmann, Lena A., Smith, David, Hughes, Maria Celia B., Malt, Maryrose, van der Pols, Jolieke C., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Smithers, Bernard M. and Green, Adele C. (2017). Associations of statins and diabetes with diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous melanoma. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137 (12), 2599-2605. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.07.836

Associations of statins and diabetes with diagnosis of ulcerated cutaneous melanoma

2017

Journal Article

Safety and Efficacy of Isolated Limb Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Locoregional Melanoma in Elderly Patients: An Australian Multicenter Study

Kroon, Hidde M., Coventry, Brendon J., Giles, Mitchell H., Henderson, Michael A., Speakman, David, Wall, Mark, Barbour, Andrew, Serpell, Jonathan, Paddle, Paul, Smithers, Bernard M. and Thompson, John F. (2017). Safety and Efficacy of Isolated Limb Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Locoregional Melanoma in Elderly Patients: An Australian Multicenter Study. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 24 (11), 3245-3251. doi: 10.1245/s10434-017-6046-5

Safety and Efficacy of Isolated Limb Infusion Chemotherapy for Advanced Locoregional Melanoma in Elderly Patients: An Australian Multicenter Study

2017

Journal Article

The impact of smoking on sentinel node metastasis of primary cutaneous melanoma

Jones, Maris S., Jones, Peter C., Stern, Stacey L., Elashoff, David, Hoon, Dave S. B., Thompson, John, Mozzillo, Nicola, Nieweg, Omgo E., Noyes, Dirk, Hoekstra, Harald J., Zager, Jonathan S., Roses, Daniel F., Testori, Alessandro, Coventry, Brendon J., Smithers, Mark B., Andtbacka, Robert, Agnese, Doreen, Schultz, Erwin, Hsueh, Eddy C., Kelley, Mark, Schneebaum, Schlomo, Jacobs, Lisa, Bowles, Tawnya, Kashani-Sabet, Mohammed, Johnson, Douglas and Faries, Mark B. (2017). The impact of smoking on sentinel node metastasis of primary cutaneous melanoma. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 24 (8), 2089-2094. doi: 10.1245/s10434-017-5775-9

The impact of smoking on sentinel node metastasis of primary cutaneous melanoma

2017

Journal Article

Diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases - results of a prospective, non-randomized, single-centre study

Read, T., Webber, S., Tan, J., Wagels, M., Schaider, H., Soyer, H. P. and Smithers, B. M. (2017). Diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases - results of a prospective, non-randomized, single-centre study. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 31 (12), 2030-2037. doi: 10.1111/jdv.14422

Diphenylcyclopropenone for the treatment of cutaneous in-transit melanoma metastases - results of a prospective, non-randomized, single-centre study

2017

Journal Article

Completion dissection or observation for sentinel-node metastasis in melanoma

Faries, M. B., Thompson, J. F., Cochran, A. J., Andtbacka, R. H., Mozzillo, N., Zager, J. S., Jahkola, T., Bowles, T. L., Testori, A., Beitsch, P. D., Hoekstra, H. J., Moncrieff, M., Ingvar, C., Wouters, M. W. J. M., Sabel, M. S., Levine, E. A., Agnese, D., Henderson, M., Dummer, R., Rossi, C. R., Neves, R. I., Trocha, S. D., Wright, F., Byrd, D. R., Matter, M., Hsueh, E., MacKenzie-Ross, A., Johnson, D. B., Terheyden, P. ... Elashoff, R. M. (2017). Completion dissection or observation for sentinel-node metastasis in melanoma. New England Journal of Medicine, 376 (23), 2211-2222. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1613210

Completion dissection or observation for sentinel-node metastasis in melanoma

2017

Journal Article

Use of support services in a sample of patients with high-risk primary melanomas in urban, regional and rural Queensland

von Schuckmann, Lena A., Smithers, Bernhard M., Khosrotehrani, Kiarash, Beesley, Vanessa L., van der Pols, Jolieke C., Hughes, Maria B. and Green, Adele C. (2017). Use of support services in a sample of patients with high-risk primary melanomas in urban, regional and rural Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41 (3), 315-319. doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.12662

Use of support services in a sample of patients with high-risk primary melanomas in urban, regional and rural Queensland

2017

Journal Article

TOPGEAR: A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Perioperative ECF Chemotherapy with or Without Preoperative Chemoradiation for Resectable Gastric Cancer: Interim Results from an International, Intergroup Trial of the AGITG, TROG, EORTC and CCTG

Leong, Trevor, Smithers, B. Mark, Haustermans, Karin, Michael, Michael, Gebski, Val, Miller, Danielle, Zalcberg, John, Boussioutas, Alex, Findlay, Michael, O'Connell, Rachel L., Verghis, Jaclyn, Willis, David, Kron, Tomas, Crain, Melissa, Murray, William K., Lordick, Florian, Swallow, Carol, Darling, Gail, Simes, John and Wong, Rebecca (2017). TOPGEAR: A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Perioperative ECF Chemotherapy with or Without Preoperative Chemoradiation for Resectable Gastric Cancer: Interim Results from an International, Intergroup Trial of the AGITG, TROG, EORTC and CCTG. Annals of Surgical Oncology, 24 (8), 2252-2258. doi: 10.1245/s10434-017-5830-6

TOPGEAR: A Randomized, Phase III Trial of Perioperative ECF Chemotherapy with or Without Preoperative Chemoradiation for Resectable Gastric Cancer: Interim Results from an International, Intergroup Trial of the AGITG, TROG, EORTC and CCTG

2017

Journal Article

Primary cutaneous melanoma of the scalp: Patterns of recurrence

Sparks, David S., Read, Tavis, Lonne, Michael, Barbour, Andrew P., Wagels, Michael, Bayley, Gerard J. and Smithers, B. Mark (2017). Primary cutaneous melanoma of the scalp: Patterns of recurrence. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 115 (4), 449-454. doi: 10.1002/jso.24535

Primary cutaneous melanoma of the scalp: Patterns of recurrence

2017

Journal Article

GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk

Daley, G. M., Duffy, D. L., Pflugfelder, A., Jagirdar, K., Lee, K. J., Yong, X. L., Eigentler, T. K., Weide, B., Smithers, B. M., Martin, N. G., Garbe, C., Soyer, H. P. and Sturm, R. A. (2017). GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk. Experimental Dermatology, 26 (8), 730-733. doi: 10.1111/exd.13114

GSTP1 does not modify MC1R effects on melanoma risk

2017

Journal Article

Results of a phase II, open-label, non-comparative study of intralesional PV-10 followed by radiotherapy for the treatment of in-transit or metastatic melanoma

Foote, Matthew, Read, Tavis, Thomas, Janine, Wagels, Michael, Burmeister, Bryan and Smithers, B. Mark (2017). Results of a phase II, open-label, non-comparative study of intralesional PV-10 followed by radiotherapy for the treatment of in-transit or metastatic melanoma. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 115 (7), 891-897. doi: 10.1002/jso.24580

Results of a phase II, open-label, non-comparative study of intralesional PV-10 followed by radiotherapy for the treatment of in-transit or metastatic melanoma

2017

Conference Publication

Outcome predictors in median arcuate ligament syndrome

Ho, Kelvin Kam Fai, Walker, Philip, Smithers, B. Mark, Foster, Wallace, Nathanson, Leslie, O'Rourke, Nicholas, Shaw, Ian and McGahan, Timothy (2017). Outcome predictors in median arcuate ligament syndrome. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress and the Australia and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery Annual Scientific Meeting, Canberra, Australia, 11-13 October 2014. Philadelphia, PA United States: Mosby. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2016.11.040

Outcome predictors in median arcuate ligament syndrome

2017

Conference Publication

Long-term health-related quality of life following esophagectomy: A nonrandomized comparison of thoracoscopically assisted and open surgery

Barbour, Andrew P., McCormack, Orla M. , Baker, Peter J., Hirst, Jodi, Krause, Lutz, Brosda, Sandra, Thomas, Janine M., Blazeby, Jane M., Thomson, Iain G., Gotley, David C. and Smithers, Bernard M. (2017). Long-term health-related quality of life following esophagectomy: A nonrandomized comparison of thoracoscopically assisted and open surgery. Philadelphia, PA United States: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000001899

Long-term health-related quality of life following esophagectomy: A nonrandomized comparison of thoracoscopically assisted and open surgery

2017

Conference Publication

Outcomes of complex cancer surgery in Queensland

Smithers, Mark, Theile, David E., Philpot, Shoni, Guan, Tracey and Dunn, Nathan (2017). Outcomes of complex cancer surgery in Queensland. COSA's 44th Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13-15 November 2017. Chichester, West Sussex United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12798

Outcomes of complex cancer surgery in Queensland

2016

Journal Article

Trans tracheal approach to the oesophagus: case report

Lynch, Angelica, Perry, Chris, Smithers, Bernard Mark, Gundelach, Raefe and Rowe, Daniel (2016). Trans tracheal approach to the oesophagus: case report. Archives of Otolaryngology and Rhinology, 077-078. doi: 10.17352/2455-1759.000030

Trans tracheal approach to the oesophagus: case report

2016

Journal Article

Recommendations for clinical staging (cTNM) of cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction for the 8th edition AJCC/UICC staging manuals

Rice, Thomas W., Ishwaran, Hemant, Blackstone, Eugene H., Hofstetter, Wayne L., Kelsen, David P., Apperson-Hansen, Carolyn, Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration Investigators and Smithers, Bernard (2016). Recommendations for clinical staging (cTNM) of cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction for the 8th edition AJCC/UICC staging manuals. Diseases of the Esophagus, 29 (8), 913-919. doi: 10.1111/dote.12540

Recommendations for clinical staging (cTNM) of cancer of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction for the 8th edition AJCC/UICC staging manuals

2016

Journal Article

Identification of the CIMP-like subtype and aberrant methylation of members of the chromosomal segregation and spindle assembly pathways in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Krause, Lutz, Nones, Katia , Loffler, Kelly A., Nancarrow, Derek, Oey, Harald , Tang, Yue Hang, Wayte, Nicola J., Patch, Ann Marie, Patel, Kalpana , Brosda, Sandra, Manning, Suzanne, Lampe, Guy, Clouston, Andrew, Thomas, Janine, Stoye, Jens, Hussey, Damian J., Watson, David I., Lord, Reginald V., Phillips, Wayne A., Gotley, David, Smithers, B. Mark, Whiteman, David C., Hayward, Nicholas K., Grimmond, Sean M., Waddell, Nicola and Barbour, Andrew P. (2016). Identification of the CIMP-like subtype and aberrant methylation of members of the chromosomal segregation and spindle assembly pathways in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Carcinogenesis, 37 (4), 356-365. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgw018

Identification of the CIMP-like subtype and aberrant methylation of members of the chromosomal segregation and spindle assembly pathways in esophageal adenocarcinoma

2016

Journal Article

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: neoadjuvant pathologic staging data

Rice, T. W., Lerut, T. E. M. R., Orringer, M. B., Chen, L. -Q., Hofstetter, W. L., Smithers, B. M., Rusch, V. W., van Lanschot, J., Chen, K. N., Davies, A. R., D'Journo, X. B., Kesler, K. A., Luketich, J. D., Ferguson, M. K., Rasanen, J. V., van Hillegersberg, R., Fang, W., Durand, L., Allum, W. H., Cecconello, I., Cerfolio, R. J., Pera, M., Griffin, S. M., Burger, R., Liu, J. -F., Allen, M. S., Law, S., Watson, T. J., Darling, G. E. ... Blackstone, E. H. (2016). Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: neoadjuvant pathologic staging data. Diseases of the Esophagus, 29 (7), 715-723. doi: 10.1111/dote.12513

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: neoadjuvant pathologic staging data

2016

Journal Article

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: clinical staging data

Rice, T. W., Apperson-Hansen, C., DiPaola, L. M., Semple, M. E., Lerut, T. E. M. R., Orringer, M. B., Chen, L. -Q., Hofstetter, W. L., Smithers, B. M., Rusch, V. W., Wijnhoven, B. P. L., Chen, K. N., Davies, A. R., D'Journo, X. B., Kesler, K. A., Luketich, J. D., Ferguson, M. K., Rasanen, J. V., van Hillegersberg, R., Fang, W., Durand, L., Allum, W. H., Cecconello, I., Cerfolio, R. J., Pera, M., Griffin, S. M., Burger, R., Liu, J. -F., Allen, M. S. ... Blackstone, E. H. (2016). Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: clinical staging data. Diseases of the Esophagus, 29 (7), 707-714. doi: 10.1111/dote.12493

Worldwide esophageal cancer collaboration: clinical staging data

2016

Journal Article

Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: pathologic staging data

Rice, T. W., Chen, L. -Q., Hofstetter, W. L., Smithers, B. M., Rusch, V. W., Wijnhoven, B. P. L., Chen, K. L., Davies, A. R., D'Journo, X. B., Kesler, K. A., Luketich, J. D., Ferguson, M. K., Raesaenen, J. V., van Hillegersberg, R., Fang, W., Durand, L., Cecconello, I., Allum, W. H., Cerfolio, R. J., Pera, M., Griffin, S. M., Burger, R., Liu, J. -F., Allen, M. S., Law, S., Watson, T. J., Darling, G. E., Scott, W. J., Duranceau, A. ... Blackstone, E. H. (2016). Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: pathologic staging data. Diseases of the Esophagus, 29 (7), 724-733. doi: 10.1111/dote.12520

Worldwide Esophageal Cancer Collaboration: pathologic staging data

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Optimising the Diagnosis and Management of Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism (MSH SERTA Grant led by Metro South HHS)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    iCare - An interactive online portal to improve health and wellbeing for people living with complex cancers, and their informal carers: a Phase II randomised controlled trial (Ex led Deakin MRFF CTA)
    Deakin University
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    AGITG TOP GEAR: A randomised phase II/III trial of preoperative chemoradiotherapy versus preoperative chemotherapy for resectable gastric cancer (CTCS: led by USyd)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2026
    A Randomised Phase II Trial of Adjuvant Avelumab in Patients with Early Stage Merkel Cell Carcinoma
    NHMRC MRFF - Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2025
    Melanoma Margins Trial II - A Phase III, Multi-centre Randomised Controlled Trial Investigating 1cm v 2cm Wide Surgical Excision Margins.. (NHMRC Project Grant led by the University of Melbourne).
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    Advanced technological approach to predicting survival in patients diagnosed with locally invasive cutaneous melanoma
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Establishing Australia's First Familial Melanoma Clinic (MSH RSS SERTA Program Grant led by Metro South Hospital and Health Service)
    Metro South Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Cancer Evolution Biobank
    PA Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Predictors of mortality in thin melanomas
    Cancer Council Queensland
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    To identify and assess markers of prognosis, response and resistance to therapy in patients with Stage III metastatic melanoma
    Cancer Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011
    DOCetaxel with or without radiation Therapy for resectable Oesophageal adenocarcinoma based on early PET Response to induction chemotherapy (DOCTOR)
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Effects of nevogenesis susceptibility genes and phenotypic correlation with dermoscopic characteristics of nevi
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Comparison of pre- and perioperative immunonutrition in patients undergoing surgical resection of oesophageal cancer (NHMRC Project Grant administered by the University of Adelaide)
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2002
    The epidemiology of oesophageal cancer: Risk and molecular markers
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 2000
    The role of TAP and MHC class I expression in the response to melanoma immunotherapy using autologous dendritic cells
    Princess Alexandra Hospital R&D Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2000
    A phase II clinical trial in patients with metastatic melanoma comparing autologous dendritic cells pulsed with autologous tumour peptides and melanoma associated peptides linked to the endoplasmic re
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    A Phase I/II Clinical Trial to Test Tumour Vaccines Comprising with Protein or Autologous Tumour Antigen Autologous Dandritic Cells Generated in a Closed Bag System Pulsed
    Mayne Bequest Fund
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Isolated limb infusion of melphalan and microdialysis technique in treatment of recurrent malignant melanoma
    Princess Alexandra Hospital R&D Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2000
    Treatment of Recurrent Malignant Melanoma by Limb Infusion of Cytotoxic Drugs and Other Techniques
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1998
    Pharmacokinetics of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in isolated rat hindlimb perfusions and infusions related to melanoma therapy
    Princess Alexandra Hospital R&D Foundation
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1997
    Targeting and monitoring drug delivery in specific tissues using iontophoresis and microdialysis
    Quality Funds Round 3
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Pharmacokinetics of melphalan in isolated limb perfusion and infusion
    Queensland Cancer Fund
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Mark Smithers is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • 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

  • Master Philosophy

    Factors Influencing Anastomotic Complications after Oesophagectomy

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    New tools for the multi-modal evaluation of pancreatic cancer and its precursor neoplasms.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Cavallucci

Completed supervision

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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