Dr. Rachna Shroff, 47, Dies of Aggressive Cancer After Endowing $1.35M Award

Key points

• Dr. Rachna Shroff died this week at age 47 after a brief battle with an aggressive cancer of unknown origin, likely originating in the stomach or intestine.
• She was diagnosed in May 2026 after a swollen lymph node; initial tests suggested lymphoma, but it was later confirmed as terminal adenocarcinoma.
• Shroff served as associate director of clinical investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology.
• She authored over 80 publications and spoke at more than 130 professional engagements, focusing on biliary and pancreatic cancers.
• In September 2026, she raised over $1.35 million to endow the Conquer Cancer – Rachna Shroff Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers.
• Her work helped transform the treatment landscape for cholangiocarcinoma, a disease that previously lacked FDA-approved therapies.

Background

Dr. Shroff’s career began in Tucson, where she won the 1993 Osler Fellowship as a high school student, allowing her to work in a local cancer lab. She completed her medical degree at Thomas Jefferson University and her fellowship at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2010. She returned to the University of Arizona in 2018, where she built a high-performing gastrointestinal oncology program and expanded clinical trials in southern Arizona. Her earlier archive coverage noted her continued work despite her illness, including attending the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology conference shortly after her diagnosis.

How outlets are covering it

ABC15 Arizona emphasized Shroff’s personal dedication to patients and her establishment of the 'Conquer Cancer' fund, highlighting her 2025 interview where she told patients they were doing the 'hard work.' The Cancer Letter focused on her professional legacy, noting her 80+ publications and the unprecedented speed of her $1.35 million fundraising effort, which was described as a 'wounded healer' story. TODAY.com detailed the medical specifics, noting her diagnosis began with a swollen lymph node in May and that she attended a major conference days after learning of her terminal condition. The Arizona Daily Star highlighted her role in expanding clinical trials in southern Arizona, ensuring patients had access to the latest scientific advances. All sources agreed on her impact on cholangiocarcinoma research, but differed in emphasis: ABC15 on her personal character, The Cancer Letter on her scientific contributions, and TODAY.com on the medical timeline.

Why it matters

Shroff’s death underscores the critical need for funding in under-researched cancer areas like cholangiocarcinoma, which previously had no FDA-approved therapies. Her legacy includes not only her research but also the endowed award that will support young investigators, ensuring her work continues to advance cancer treatments. Her story also highlights the resilience and dedication of physician-scientists who continue to work despite personal illness, inspiring future generations of oncologists.

What to watch

The Conquer Cancer – Rachna Shroff Endowed Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers will now support research in the field, with contributions accepted through the Conquer Cancer foundation. The University of Arizona Cancer Center is expected to continue expanding its clinical trials in southern Arizona, building on Shroff’s legacy. Colleagues and family are expected to honor her memory through ongoing advocacy and research in gastrointestinal cancers.