Back in the mid-1970s, less than half of the patients diagnosed with cancer in the US survived five years after the diagnosis. This situation has changed quite dramatically today: the overall five-year survival rate has actually gone up to 68%, and cancer is increasingly becoming not only a chronic disease but also one that in some tumor types might be even considered as cured in the near future.

The success of any cancer treatment is supported by a team of specialists, but the oncologist usually takes the central role in this context, as he/she is the one who directs the treatment plan, manages the care, and assists the patients in understanding what is often a scary experience. Recognizing the pioneers and leaders in oncology may help us see the extent of the progress that the field has made and also set the standards for the level of care that the patients should expect.

This means, for instance, that the move from "one-size-fits-all" treatment to precision oncology, where cancers are treated according to their molecular profiles, has been made possible due to the contributions largely from the works of oncologists and researchers. A recent article points out top oncologists as being recognized for bringing rigorous clinical trials and statistical methodology into cancer treatment.

Who is Considered as the Best Oncologist?

We can infer the distinguishing features and characteristics of oncologists of the highest calibre as follows:

• Skill and Specialization: The best oncologist is an expert who has profound knowledge in the specific cancer subtype.
• Practice Based on Research and Evidence: Several of the famous oncologists were the leaders of landmark trials, or were the first to adopt the new treatments. Constantly being aware of the latest evidence is imperative.
• Innovation and Building the Infrastructure: In a lot of countries, the main thing is either to bring the new treatments (bone marrow transplant, precision medicine) or to build the institutes.
• Patient-centred Care & Multidisciplinary Cooperation: Cancer treatment evolution led to the involvement of teams (surgeon, oncologist, radiotherapist, pathologist). The role of a good oncologist is to work with them, communicate effectively, and engage the patient. Although biographical sketches may not always give prominence to this, patient feedback is becoming more and more utilized in the oncologist ranking system.
• Ethical, Compassionate, and Holistic approach: Cancer care beyond the eradication of the tumor, needs the doctor to focus on the patient's quality of life, provide the necessary psychosocial support, and ensure survivorship. The best oncologists mostly acknowledge these aspects as well.

Famous Oncologists in the World

Dr. Christopher Wolfgang, USA

• Specialty: Pancreas, liver, bile duct, and gallbladder cancers
• As a result of his innovative research and surgical mastery, Dr. Christopher Wolfgang is frequently singled out as one of the famous oncologists in the field of pancreatic cancer. At the moment, Dr. Christopher Wolfgang is the clinical research leader at NYU Langone Health. He has gone through over 1,200 pancreatic surgeries and has been a co-author in more than 400 research articles published in different journals. He is the first oncologist who most effectively selects the means of treating pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Peter M. Allen, USA

• Specialty: Pancreatic cancer.
• Peter J. Allen, Ph.D., is the head of the division of surgical oncology and the chief of surgery at Duke Cancer Institute. He is the author of many publications and has been rewarded with several prizes for his innovative research in the field. He was the head of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and for 13 years he led the surgical team responsible for the treatment of neoplastic pancreatic diseases. He has authored a number of peer-reviewed research papers in the area of pancreatic cancer and has kept up NIH funding since 2009.

Dr. Rachel Dultz, USA

• Specialty: Surgical Oncology (Breast Surgery)
• Dr. Rachel Dultz is a breast cancer surgeon who established her own private practice at the Breast Health Center in East Windsor. She is recognized for her loving care and in-depth knowledge of the diseases related to the breast. She is an FACS (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons) with over 27 years of experience. The Spirit of Jane Rodney Award and Women Changing Lives Award were among the awards Jane received. She is highly knowledgeable of the surgical methods for breast cancer and has published numerous articles on it.

Dr. Theodore M. Ross, USA

• Specialty: Colorectal cancer, digestive problems, and diseases of the colon/rectum.
• Dr. Ross is a leading colorectal cancer specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Canada. He has written and co-written 18 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been a contributor to 10 books. More than 28 years of his professional life has been dedicated to the medical field. He has been the recipient of the Tovee Postgraduate Teaching Award and 5 times he has been awarded Best Teacher Award. In addition to that, he is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Dr. Saifee Abbas Mullamitha, UK

• Specialty: Colorectal cancer, immunotherapy.
• Dr. Saifee Abbas Mullamitha is a colorectal cancer expert at Christie Hospital, Manchester, who has been recognized for his pioneering cancer research and excellent clinical work in the management of early and advanced colorectal cancer. He has more than 25 years of professional experience and offers a service of second opinion for patients who want to question their current management. He is the director of clinical trials in colon cancer and has made numerous contributions in scientific journals. He is devoted to a patient-centered approach and the training of oncology trainees and medical students.

Dr. Omar Khan, UK

• Specialty: Lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and immunotherapy.
• Dr. Omar Khan is the Leading oncologist at Shalbourne Private Healthcare. His area of expertise includes lung cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, mesothelioma, and he is also skilled in immunotherapy treatment. In the medical field, he has been working for more than twenty years. His revolutionary research on cancer biomarkers at the University of Oxford earned him a DPhil in 2013. He has done a lot to various peer-reviewed journals and he is still very active in research to be able to improve his qualification further. Moreover, Dr. Khan is a member of several professional bodies like the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP), European Society of Medical Oncologists (ESMO), and the Association of Cancer Physicians (ACP).

Dr. Anil Heroor, India

• Specialty: Thoracic surgery, lung, and breast cancer
• He is a thoracic surgery specialist and a lung cancer expert. At present, he is the Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Mulund. Dr. Heroor is a professionally qualified thoracic surgeon and has over 23 years of medical practice. Gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer, and advanced minimal access surgical treatment are areas that he is recognized worldwide as an expert of. On the occasion of Doctor's Day in 2023, Dr. Heroor was honored with the Cancer Care Service Award by Nana Palkar Samitti. His progressive style of practice and kind manner of patient care distinguish him not only as an expert and famous oncologist but also as a minimal access surgeon in his field; he provides personalized, cutting-edge, and compassionate care to cancer patients as well as to those with complicated conditions.

Dr. Richard Scolyer, Australia

• Specialty: Melanoma and skin-related cancers.
• Dr. Richard operates a clinical consultation service that is dedicated to the diagnosis of challenging pigmented lesions. He gets more than 2000 cases per year from Australasia and other places for consultation. In June 2022, he was ranked among the top 6 worldwide experts in melanoma, regardless of the area or discipline, and he was named the world's leading melanoma pathologist. By the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 2021 to recognize his extraordinary contributions to medicine, mainly in the areas of melanoma and skin cancer, and to national and international professional organizations. Prof. Scoyer was honored with the Cancer Researcher of the Year Award by the New South Wales Premier in 2018.

Dr. Georgina Long, Australia

• Specialty: Melanoma and Skin Cancers.
• Dr. Georgina Long is Co-Medical Director of Melanoma Institute Australia. Her research contributions to immunotherapy were a major factor in her being awarded Australian of the Year in 2024 for her work that has led to the rapid adoption of innovative and patient-friendly treatment modalities. Dr. Long is the co-medical director of Melanoma Institute Australia and has been the mainstay of research into immunotherapy for melanoma. She received the inaugural Australian of the Year Award in 2024 and actively maintained the patient-centered care, innovation in treatment approaches.

Dr. Brian P. Marr, USA.

• Specialty: Ocular (eye) cancers.
• He has been a central figure for a very long time in the conceptualization, diagnostic procedures, therapeutics, and management of ocular neoplasms accompanied by the removal of intraocular tumors, laser, radiation, and chemotherapy therapies. Moreover, he has been a significant contributor to the development of innumerable highly complex treatment protocols for tumors of the eye, eyelid, orbit, and conjunctiva in adults, children, and infants. Dr. Marr is a board-certified ophthalmologist and has been a specialist in ophthalmic oncology since 2000. His clinical experience with these diseases, from the hands-on standpoint, places him in the leading category of the U.S.A.

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Oncologists, who are responsible for the treatment of cancer, are closely mentioned as the most precious helpers among the fight forces. The personalities we refer to demonstrate that outstanding performance in this area is a combination of medical skill, research/innovation, being a leader in the institution and giving care to the patient with compassion.

First of all, patients and their caregivers when they get information on what to expect from an oncologist, how to select, and what questions to ask, it can really have a different impact. Understanding and taking examples from the “famous” oncologists set up a very high level for cancer care which should be the ultimate goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is an oncologist, and how is one different from a general physician?

An oncologist is a doctor who narrows his scope of practice to the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. A general physician can manage a wide range of diseases, but an oncologist is the one who is solely involved with cancer.

How do I know if my oncologist is an expert?

It depends on the number of patients he treats in a year and the number of success cases in a year and whether they are involved in clinical trials or not.

What questions should I ask the oncologist during my first visit?

You'll need to inquire about the exact type and stage of cancer, the best treatment options, the risks and side effects of treatments and the kind of follow up planned.

References

• Changi, F. (2025, June 8). Best oncologists in the world. ClinicSpots.
  https://www.clinicspots.com/blog/best-oncologists-in-the-world

• Internationally renowned surgeon to lead new division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic surgery at NYU Langone Health. (2021, January 27). NYU Langone News.
  https://nyulangone.org/news/internationally-renowned-surgeon-lead-new-division-hepatobiliary-pancreatic-surgery-nyu-langone-health

• Omar Khan – Specialist in. (n.d.).
  https://www.dromarkhan.co.uk/

• Mia. (2025, October 13). Professor Richard Scolyer AO | Melanoma Institute Australia. Melanoma Institute Australia.
  https://melanoma.org.au/news/team/professor-richard-scolyer-ao/

• Brian Peter Marr, MD, Ophthalmology, New York, NY | ColumbiaDoctors - Third Avenue. (n.d.).
  https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/brian-peter-marr-md-880-third-avenue