Melanoma Direct

Priority Melanoma Surgical Assessment in Toowoomba

A melanoma diagnosis can bring uncertainty, particularly when you're waiting to understand what treatment comes next.

Melanoma Direct is a dedicated referral pathway at Darling Downs Surgical Oncology (DDSO), designed to provide timely specialist surgical assessment, coordinated treatment planning and personal follow-up for patients with newly diagnosed melanoma.

Led by Dr Peter O'Donohue, a Toowoomba-based Specialist General Surgeon with advanced training in melanoma surgery, Melanoma Direct helps patients move from diagnosis to a clear treatment plan, close to home.

Newly diagnosed with melanoma? Contact our team on 07 4670 9697.

What is Melanoma Direct

What is Melanoma Direct?

Melanoma Direct provides a streamlined pathway for patients whose biopsy has confirmed melanoma and who may require further surgical treatment.

Our focus is on:

Priority specialist assessment following a melanoma diagnosis.
Clear treatment planning, including review of pathology and surgical options.
Coordinated surgery, where further excision or specialist procedures are required.
Personal postoperative care, including wound reviews and pathology results.
Communication with your GP and other treating specialists.

Your Melanoma Direct Pathway

1. Referral and Priority Assessment

Your GP, dermatologist or treating doctor sends your referral and melanoma pathology report to DDSO.

Our team arranges clinical triage and prioritises your appointment according to the information provided.

2. Specialist Consultation

Dr O'Donohue reviews your diagnosis, examines the affected area and discusses your treatment options, including whether further excision, lymph node assessment or additional investigations are appropriate.

3. Coordinated Surgical Treatment

Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:

Wide local excision of melanoma
Sentinel lymph node biopsy, where indicated
Skin grafting or flap reconstruction
Assessment and surgical management of selected complex melanoma cases

Suitable procedures may be performed under local anaesthetic in our Minor Procedure Clinic. More complex surgery can be arranged at St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital.

4. Results and Ongoing Care

Following surgery, Dr O'Donohue and the DDSO team coordinate wound care, review final pathology and discuss whether further treatment or specialist follow-up is required.

We also communicate with your referring doctor to support ongoing care and skin surveillance.

For Referring Doctors

A dedicated surgical referral pathway for biopsy-confirmed melanoma.

Melanoma Direct welcomes referrals from GPs, dermatologists and specialists across Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and surrounding regional communities.

Please include the histopathology report where available, particularly:

Breslow thickness
Ulceration status
Excision margins
Relevant clinical history and previous treatment

We prioritise newly diagnosed melanoma referrals according to clinical urgency and aim to contact patients on the same business day for referrals received during business hours.

Melanoma Direct

Priority Melanoma Surgical Assessment in Toowoomba

What is Melanoma Direct

What is Melanoma Direct?

Your Melanoma Direct Pathway

Your Melanoma Direct Pathway

1. Referral and Priority Assessment

2. Specialist Consultation

3. Coordinated Surgical Treatment

4. Results and Ongoing Care

For Referring Doctors

Take the Next Step

Take the Next Step