An Australian doctor, Richard Scolyer, diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor last year, is now cancer-free, a miracle attributed to a groundbreaking treatment he had a hand in creating.
Richard Scolyer, a University of Sydney professor, shared the incredible news on Monday that his previously diagnosed incurable stage 4 glioblastoma has shown no signs of returning after the devastating prognosis in June last year.
“I had brain #MRI scan last Thursday looking for recurrent #glioblastoma (&/or treatment complications). I found out yesterday that there is still no sign of recurrence. I couldn’t be happier!!!!!” the professor shared on X.
Richard Scolyer was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer during the European tour
Back in May 2023, while on a European tour speaking at various medical conferences, Scolyer experienced a seizure in Poland. He returned to Australia for an MRI, which confirmed the presence of glioblastoma—an extremely aggressive and generally fatal brain cancer. The BBC noted that his particular cancer subtype usually results in a survival time of less than a year.
The pathologist, who is also the director at the Melanoma Institute Australia, teamed up with his co-director, Georgina Long, to develop a treatment plan to help fight the deadly disease.
The duo’s decade-long immunotherapy research at the Melanoma Institute dramatically increased the outcome for advanced melanoma patients, which led to the pair being jointly named the 2024 NSW Australian of the Year.
Scolyer has been openly documenting his health battle on social media, sharing updates and MRI images consistently.
Building on their immunotherapy research, which involves using the body’s immune response to combat cancer, Long and her team formulated an innovative treatment approach for Scolyer, involving a pre-surgery combination of drugs. This pioneering treatment included a vaccine specifically tailored to the characteristics of Scolyer’s tumor to enhance the effectiveness of the drugs.
Doctor Scolyer recovers from pioneering cancer treatment and resumes daily activities
He was the first to undergo this novel combination immunotherapy regimen before undergoing tumor removal surgery last year. Post-surgery, Scolyer completed six weeks of radiotherapy.
Although the initial phases of his treatment were marred by seizures, liver complications, and pneumonia, he has recovered well and has resumed normal activities, including running 9.3 miles daily.
“I’m the best I have felt for yonks (a long-time),” Scolyer expressed to the BBC.
He cautiously noted, “It certainly doesn’t mean that my brain cancer is cured… but it’s just nice to know that it hasn’t come back yet, so I’ve still got some more time to enjoy my life with my wife Katie and my three wonderful kids.”
Scolyer continues to share his medical journey, providing regular updates and MRI photos on his social media platforms.