Dr. Rachna Shroff, an internationally recognized gastrointestinal oncologist and associate director of clinical investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, died at the age of 47 following a battle with terminal adenocarcinoma, an event announced by the University of Arizona.
The oncology community is mourning a clinician-scientist who spent her professional life fighting aggressive malignancies while simultaneously navigating her own health journey. Dr. Shroff served as chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson, held the inaugural John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professorship for Gastrointestinal Oncology, and worked at the University of Arizona for nearly a decade.
Diagnosis and Continuing Work at the University of Arizona Cancer Center
In May, Dr. Shroff developed a swollen lymph node that led to a diagnosis of cancer of an unknown origin. Testing subsequently confirmed it to be terminal adenocarcinoma, which originates in the cells lining internal organs as reported by Today. Despite the diagnosis, she attended a major cancer research conference just days later to continue raising awareness of clinical breakthroughs.
Beyond devastating. Rachna was a friend to all oncologists, well known in @ASCO circles. We will all miss her. Her legacy lives on in the YIA endowed in her name.@DrChoueiri @montypal @ERPlimackMD @aparna1024 @ErikaHamilton9 https://t.co/2Tiz2E6teK
Her colleagues noted her relentless dedication. Dr. Dan Theodorescu, endowed chair for the director of the cancer center and her supervisor, recalled in an interview how she advanced hundreds of clinical trials.
That’s really exciting because she’s been able to build the clinical trial operation very effectively. And …
Dr. Dan Theodorescu, endowed chair for the director of the cancer center and Shroff’s boss, via Today
In a Zoom interview shortly before her death, Dr. Shroff reflected on her career focus.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Rachna Shroff at the age of 47 due to cancer.Her contributions to oncology, especialy gasteointestinal cancers, will always live on. https://t.co/UX5prwDQSf
She added, I’ve spent my entire life trying to eradicate cancer, primarily pancreatic cancer, but also liver cancers.
Dr. Shroff Led Clinical Trials for Bile Duct Cancer
Dr. Shroff was an internationally respected authority on cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, a rare and historically difficult-to-treat malignancy that lacked FDA-approved therapies when she began her focus. She led clinical trials that helped change how the field treats the disease.
“It’s been a journey” Shroff told @NBCNews. “I’ve spent my entire life trying to eradicate cancer, primarily pancreatic cancer, but also liver cancers.”https://t.co/qGmDCVg30KAn homage to Rachna Shroff, including thoughts from her family. Please read, share & honor her memory.
Her leadership extended to prominent national organizations. She served as Hepatobiliary Subcommittee co-chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and chaired GI ASCO 2024, a gastrointestinal cancers meeting sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Throughout her career, she authored more than 80 scientific publications and delivered over 130 professional presentations.
Her professional home at ASCO saw her deeply involved in volunteer work. The ASCO Post noted that she participated in the 2021-2022 ASCO Leadership Development Program, was elected to the ASCO Nominating Committee, chaired the Cancer Communications Committee, and served as an associate editor for ASCO Daily News.
There are individuals who advance medicine through their discoveries, and there are those who transform it through their humanity. Dr. Rachna Shroff did both.Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Dr. Shroff personally, I was fortunate to cross paths with her on…
“ASCO has been so integral in my development as a leader and as an oncologist… [It] is, in my opinion, the best professional society that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with…. [My] favorite time of day, I always say, is whenever I’m doing something for ASCO.”
Dr. Rachna T. Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO, via The ASCO Post
Founding the Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award
During the final months of her life, Dr. Shroff concentrated on securing the future of her field by establishing a dedicated funding stream for early-career investigators studying rare biliary cancers.
In September, she helped launch the Conquer Cancer – Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO Endowed Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers. More than 600 donors contributed to the campaign, which surpassed its $1.35 million goal within weeks to ensure that future researchers can pursue innovative treatments.
Colleagues across the oncology community shared tributes following her passing.
“Please consider donating to my amazing friend’s cause. Rachna Shroff, MD, FASCO has dedicated her life to fighting biliary cancers, and this is an important way to further this calling.”
Yan Leyfman, MD, physician-scientist, via Oncodaily
Deanna van Gestel, FASCO, CEO of VANIAM GROUP LLC and Founder of Women Leaders in Oncology, added that Dr. Shroff managed her health journey with grace and strength.
The cholangiocarcinoma community has lost a tireless advocate and dedicated physician:https://t.co/UupuIFNuNf
“Some people spend their careers lifting others up. Rachna Shroff is one of them. She has been deeply committed to ASCO and to Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, all while navigating a health journey of her own with the same grace and strength she brings to everything she does.”
Deanna van Gestel, FASCO, CEO of VANIAM GROUP LLC and Founder of Women Leaders in Oncology, via Oncodaily
Tian Zhang, MD, MHS, FASCO, shared on X: Beyond devastating. Rachna was a friend to all oncologists, well known in @ASCO circles. We will all miss her. Her legacy lives on in the YIA endowed in her name.
Early Life and Family Legacy in Tucson
Dr. Shroff’s path in medicine began early. Raised in Tucson, Arizona, she was the daughter of a biochemist father, Devendar Trivedi, and a nephrologist mother, Dr. Amita Trivedi as detailed by the University of Arizona. In 1993, while still a high school student, she won the Osler Fellowship and worked in the laboratory of University of Arizona Cancer Center researcher Margaret Briehl, PhD.
She earned her undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Brown University and her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University. Following her fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center completed in 2010, she served on its faculty until returning to the University of Arizona in a 2018 homecoming.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Puneet Shroff, professor of medicine and associate director of Banner Medical Group’s Allergy Clinic; their children, Simran and Sachin; her parents; and her sister, Neema Sahni according to university announcements. Her children shared reflections with NBC News about their mother’s persistent drive and compassionate nature as reported by Today.
Deepest condolences to @Rachna Shroff, MD, FASCO family !! This is a profound loss for her patients, colleagues, and the entire oncology community. There are simply no words to express the sadness of this loss. May her memory be a blessing and her legacy continue to inspire us…
Her tenacity …
Simran Shroff, daughter, via Today
Her son Sachin added, I would probably say just how loving she is.
We join the oncology community in mourning the passing of Dr. Rachna T. Shroff, a renowned GI cancers expert and a dedicated ASCO volunteer. We are humbled by her dedication and strive to honor her legacy of commitment and altruism.Read more: https://t.co/yNlVhoASQi pic.twitter.com/BtFetm1Fsv
