Dr Kerwin Shannon

Associate Professor Kerwin Shannon is a Surgical Oncologist specialising in head and neck surgery, with extensive expertise in the management of complex malignancies affecting the head, neck, and skin.

He began his specialist career with an appointment to the Sydney Melanoma Unit in 1996. He subsequently completed advanced fellowship training in Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Hong Kong, followed by a two-year fellowship in Head and Neck Oncology at the University of Tennessee under the auspices of the American Head and Neck Society. He returned to Australia in 1999 to take up a consultant role within the Central Sydney Area Health Service and to continue his work with the Sydney Melanoma Unit (now Melanoma Institute Australia).

His clinical practice focuses on the comprehensive management of head and neck cancers, including mucosal malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract, melanoma and other cutaneous malignancies, salivary gland disease, and thyroid and parathyroid surgery. He is involved in multidisciplinary cancer care through his roles with Melanoma Institute Australia and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

Associate Professor Shannon has a strong academic and research background, with interests in organ preservation strategies, regional chemotherapy for advanced cancers, and sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma. His current research includes the integration of novel immunotherapy approaches into surgical oncology practice.

He is actively involved in medical education and training, contributing to teaching across all levels of surgical and medical education. He has held leadership roles within the field, including serving as President of the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society and as Chairman of its Research Foundation.