Dermatology Unit

Overview

The Dermatology Unit assess and treats skin disorders at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) in both outpatients and inpatients, and teaches medical students, dermatology registrars, general practitioners and other doctors at the hospital.

The Unit is also involved in clinical research with an emphasis on different methods of treatment and prevention of sun damage and skin cancer.

Research Focus

The Dermatology Unit has undertaken a number of clinical trials over the last 10 years. The Dermatology Unit has a special interest in the treatment of skin cancers both in normal and in transplant patients. It has done trials in the treatment of Actinic Keratoses (premalignant lesions) and Basal Cell Cancers (non-melanoma skin cancers) using Photodynamic Therapy, a treatment where red light activates a drug applied to the skin, and Aldara cream. Both of these treatments have subsequently been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the body which allows drugs into Australia, for treatment of these disorders in the Australian population.

In 2010, the Unit undertook a significant study in renal transplant patients showing that the retinoid (Vitamin A derivate) Acitretin reduces the number of Squamous Cell Cancers (non-melanoma skin cancers). This drug is now used widely around the world for this purpose. It has also looked at the benefit of Sirolomus, a transplant rejection drug, in reducing Squamous Cell Cancers in renal transplant patients in a multicenter international trial. The Unit is currently doing a trial to assess a new treatment to prevent Squamous Cell Cancers in renal transplant patients

The Unit is also  involved in trials for new treatments for psoriasis and eczema.

Staff

Head of Department

W Weightman MBBS FRACP FACD

Visiting Dermatologists

P Selva MBBS FACD

A Lewis MBBS FRACGP FACD

YC Lee MBBS FACD