Medical breakthroughs can offer hope where there once was none, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in modern treatment.

But when a leading expert becomes the patient, the stakes—and the risks—are even higher.

One Australian professor, known for his groundbreaking research, has faced a personal battle with a devastating diagnosis.

Professor Richard Scolyer, who has been undergoing an experimental treatment for brain cancer, recently had a complex surgery following concerning changes detected in his brain.

The 58-year-old Australian of the Year shared the update, revealing that his latest scans showed ‘new changes’ that could either be a result of his previous treatment or a recurrence of his tumour.

‘Unfortunately my recent scans show some new changes which could be an effect of my previous treatment or recurrent brain tumour,’ he said on social media.

Professor undergoes surgery after a health setback. Image source: Flavio Brancaleone

Scolyer was initially diagnosed with glioblastoma—an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer—after suffering a seizure while attending a work conference overseas.

Doctors gave him a prognosis of six to nine months, as the disease has had little progress in treatment over the past two decades.

Determined to change that, he became the first person in the world to undergo pre-surgery combination immunotherapy, a treatment approach adapted from research into melanoma.

He took the risk despite the possibility of it shortening his lifespan, working closely with Professor Georgina Long and her team to explore whether the techniques used for skin cancer could help treat his condition.

Scolyer and Long were recognised for their contributions to medical science and named Australians of the Year in 2024.

His latest operation was performed at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, where he was now focusing on recovery.

‘Now I am focused on my recovery,’ he said, expressing gratitude for the well wishes he had received.

Professor Richard Scolyer’s journey has been one of groundbreaking medical innovation and immense personal risk.

His decision to undergo experimental treatment has sparked global interest in the future of brain cancer research.

Watch the full story to see how he’s challenging the odds.

Source: Youtube/ABC News In-depth

In a previous story, a brain cancer specialist shared her daily routine to help reduce the risk of the disease.

She revealed the foods she eats and the habits she follows to support brain health.

Read more to discover her expert insights on prevention.

Key Takeaways

• Professor Richard Scolyer, 58, had complex surgery after scans revealed possible tumour recurrence or treatment effects.
• He was diagnosed with incurable glioblastoma after suffering a seizure while overseas and was initially given six to nine months to live.
• Scolyer became the first patient to receive pre-surgery combination immunotherapy, an experimental treatment based on melanoma research, despite the risks involved.
• He was now recovering at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Sydney and expressed gratitude for the support he had received.

Medical advancements are constantly evolving, but how much risk should patients take for the chance of a breakthrough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

 

[Ivory]

My brother in law was asked to be a part of a trial into leukaemia treatment about 25 years ago. He was told he might prolong his life or die quite quickly. He had been told he had less than three months to live so he said why not. He lived a further 4 months but they were very hard months. The trial he was part of is now, following a few tweakings, the gold standard treatment. I admire him for taking the risk and helping to improve things for others but I don’t think I have the fortitude to do it myself.

 

[magpie1]

What an extraordinary man....lets hope that his surgery was a complete success and helps prolong his life for many many many more years and that the results from his experience goes a long way in helping so many others who may be suffering from the same problems as himself. Congratulations to all who have been involved. Another major advancement in the history of Medicine....amazing.

 

[Lizzie1149]

Dealing with cancer in my own family. I often wonder about the treatments. They say most are toxic. For me I'd prefer lifestyle and food changes. Some have gotten better doing this especially change of diet. Also they are finding there are some medications and treatments that can exacerbate it. Suggestion that things like mammograms and MRIs can make things worse. I often wonder why they take the radical way first. Lots of things out there now can affect peoples health. Toxins, poisons, air quality, water quality. Sun exposure (or lack of it) low levels of vitamin D. Not sure what track I would take if I got diagnosed but would try diet first.

 

[Littleboy8]

Dealing with cancer in my own family. I often wonder about the treatments. They say most are toxic. For me I'd prefer lifestyle and food changes. Some have gotten better doing this especially change of diet. Also they are finding there are some medications and treatments that can exacerbate it. Suggestion that things like mammograms and MRIs can make things worse. I often wonder why they take the radical way first. Lots of things out there now can affect peoples health. Toxins, poisons, air quality, water quality. Sun exposure (or lack of it) low levels of vitamin D. Not sure what track I would take if I got diagnosed but would try diet first.

My neighbours son is doing a new experimental trial at Peter Mac in Melbourne but it’s made the spasms worse than before. He’s always been a healthy eater and excised but they told him that they can’t do anything else for him because the tumour just keeps growing back it’s so heartbreaking

 

[Lizzie1149]

My neighbours son is doing a new experimental trial at Peter Mac in Melbourne but it’s made the spasms worse than before. He’s always been a healthy eater and excised but they told him that they can’t do anything else for him because the tumour just keeps growing back it’s so heartbreaking

I have been a member of the low carb movement for years. I never got the weight loss results I wanted but saw many fix health issues by cutting right down or cutting out sugar and carbs. It's more than just anecdotal. I'm now seeing a lot of people going carnivore and even lion (meat salt and water) and getting amazing results even with stage 4 cancers. There are many variants now that can affect us but this way of eating seems to really help. I always reckon it's worth trying something. Hubby has prostate cancer and though he still eats some processed foods we eat mostly protein and fats like meat, fish, eggs, butter and animal fats. His results so far are really good. I don't push anything I just offer ideas.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

I think the whole country is behind this incredibly selfless man. We all hope this is a success.

 

[Vespa Girl]

Dealing with cancer in my own family. I often wonder about the treatments. They say most are toxic. For me I'd prefer lifestyle and food changes. Some have gotten better doing this especially change of diet. Also they are finding there are some medications and treatments that can exacerbate it. Suggestion that things like mammograms and MRIs can make things worse. I often wonder why they take the radical way first. Lots of things out there now can affect peoples health. Toxins, poisons, air quality, water quality. Sun exposure (or lack of it) low levels of vitamin D. Not sure what track I would take if I got diagnosed but would try diet first.

I agree with you. I believe that cancer is caused by the body not being able to eliminate the toxins we receive in our food, from our water and the air. Why add more in the form of chemotherapy in the hope that they will work. Yes for some people, it may but in my experience, it doesn't. Change of diet and lifestyle is probably what is needed. The Gerson Therapy has received many fans. Unfortunately we will see more cancers after the Covid vaccine was introduced.

 

[Lynnne]

We have been blessed to have many opportunities to try and stay healthy and help for when we get sick. May the gifts these doctors have been given advance procedures and great outcomes for the sick. Without being able to see if new procedures medications work we'd never know. Would I want to test a new procedure. I really don't know.