Top 25 Oncology Journals for Cancer Research (Ranked by Impact Factor & Prestige)

Written By Nicola Donelan

Oncology is one of the most dynamic areas in medicine. Publishing in or even just keeping up with oncology is one of the most dynamic fields in medicine. Publishing in or staying current with leading oncology journals helps clinicians and researchers remain at the forefront of cancer treatment, therapy, and policy. This guide features the Top 25 Oncology Journals, ranked by influence and recent Impact Factor (2023–2024), with detailed descriptions, history, and publishing expectations.


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The Top 25

1. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

  • Impact Factor: ~232.4

  • Publisher: Wiley, for the American Cancer Society

  • Why it matters: The most cited oncology journal worldwide, shaping cancer prevention, screening, and treatment guidelines. Its reviews influence policy, clinical practice, and patient education globally.

  • History: Founded in 1950, CA is famous for its annual Cancer Statistics review, a benchmark for governments and agencies worldwide.

  • Scope & Readership: Physicians, policymakers, and health educators rely on CA. Its audience extends beyond oncology specialists to general medicine and public health professionals.

  • Publishing focus: Reviews, statistics, and guidelines — usually invited, extremely selective.

2. Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~82.2

  • Publisher: Nature Portfolio

  • Why it matters: Publishes authoritative, peer-reviewed reviews synthesizing the latest in clinical oncology and translational science. Articles are among the most cited in medicine.

  • History: Established in 2004 as part of the Nature Reviews series.

  • Scope & Readership: Appeals to clinicians, researchers, and policy experts seeking deep analysis of therapeutic landscapes, biomarkers, and treatments.

  • Publishing focus: Primarily invited reviews and perspectives. Contributions must provide broad synthesis and immediate clinical relevance.

3. Annals of Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~65.4

  • Publisher: Elsevier for the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)

  • Why it matters: ESMO’s flagship journal, publishing trial results, consensus guidelines, and translational studies that shape European and global oncology practice.

  • History: Founded in 1990, it has grown alongside ESMO’s rise as a leading oncology organization.

  • Scope & Readership: Popular among clinicians worldwide, especially in Europe; publishes ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines.

  • Publishing focus: High-quality randomized trials, epidemiological studies, and translational oncology.

4. Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO)

  • Impact Factor: ~41.9

  • Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)

  • Why it matters: The leading U.S. oncology journal, publishing pivotal trial data that directly shape ASCO and global guidelines.

  • History: Founded in 1983, JCO is the premier outlet for practice-changing clinical research.

  • Scope & Readership: Global readership across oncology specialties; its studies are cited in FDA/EMA drug approvals.

  • Publishing focus: Randomized clinical trials, biomarkers, and outcomes research; submissions must demonstrate broad clinical impact.

5. The Lancet Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~35.9

  • Publisher: Elsevier

  • Why it matters: Known for landmark clinical trials, oncology policy, and global cancer burden studies.

  • History: Launched in 2000, quickly gained prestige as part of The Lancet family.

  • Scope & Readership: Widely read by clinicians, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.

  • Publishing focus: High-profile international trials and practice-relevant studies with global impact.

6. Journal of Hematology & Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~40.4

  • Publisher: BMC (Springer Nature)

  • Why it matters: An open-access journal with rapid growth in citations, especially in immuno-oncology and hematologic cancers.

  • History: Founded in 2008, it has expanded with the rise of immunotherapy and targeted hematology.

  • Scope & Readership: Open access ensures global reach, especially in resource-limited settings.

  • Publishing focus: Original research in immunotherapy, hematology, and translational oncology.

7. Cancer Discovery

  • Impact Factor: ~33.3

  • Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

  • Why it matters: Highly selective, publishing only breakthrough mechanistic and therapeutic discoveries.

  • History: Launched in 2011, now AACR’s premier translational journal.

  • Scope & Readership: Translational scientists and oncologists focused on practice-changing biology.

  • Publishing focus: Paradigm-shifting findings, early-phase clinical trials, and resistance mechanisms.

8. Molecular Cancer

  • Impact Factor: ~33.9

  • Publisher: BMC (Springer Nature)

  • Why it matters: Open access, with very high citation rates in molecular oncology.

  • History: Founded in 2002; has grown with the genomics and systems biology revolution.

  • Scope & Readership: Global readership, especially laboratory researchers and translational scientists.

  • Publishing focus: Genomics, epigenetics, tumor microenvironment, and molecular signaling.

9. JAMA Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~20.1

  • Publisher: American Medical Association

  • Why it matters: High visibility as part of the JAMA Network; publishes practice-changing cancer studies.

  • History: Established in 2015, rapidly became one of the most influential oncology journals.

  • Scope & Readership: Clinicians and policy experts worldwide.

  • Publishing focus: Clinical trials, population studies, epidemiology, and survivorship.

10. Cancer Cell

  • Impact Factor: ~44.5

  • Publisher: Cell Press (Elsevier)

  • Why it matters: Prestigious journal for translational and mechanistic cancer biology.

  • History: Founded in 2002, part of the Cell family.

  • Scope & Readership: Laboratory and translational researchers; high selectivity ensures strong reputation.

  • Publishing focus: Novel mechanisms, resistance biology, and therapeutic insights.

11. Nature Cancer

  • Impact Factor: ~28.5

  • Publisher: Nature Portfolio

  • Why it matters: A new but already prestigious journal spanning all aspects of oncology.

  • History: Established in 2020.

  • Scope & Readership: Cross-disciplinary readership in basic, translational, and clinical cancer science.

  • Publishing focus: High-impact original research and commentary across all cancer fields.

12. Cancer Research

  • Impact Factor: ~16.6

  • Publisher: AACR

  • Why it matters: One of the oldest oncology journals, a foundation of cancer biology literature.

  • History: Founded in 1916, over a century of continuous publication.

  • Scope & Readership: Read across basic and translational oncology fields.

  • Publishing focus: Preclinical and laboratory studies with translational relevance.

13. Clinical Cancer Research

  • Impact Factor: ~10.2

  • Publisher: AACR

  • Why it matters: Bridges the gap between bench discoveries and clinical practice.

  • History: Established in 1995, central to biomarker and translational trial development.

  • Scope & Readership: Translational scientists and clinicians.

  • Publishing focus: Biomarker studies, early-phase clinical trials, imaging, and drug development.

14. Oncogene

  • Impact Factor: ~7.3

  • Publisher: Nature Portfolio

  • Why it matters: Authoritative in tumor biology and oncogenic signaling.

  • History: Launched in 1987, documenting major oncogene discoveries.

  • Scope & Readership: Laboratory researchers, molecular biologists.

  • Publishing focus: Oncogenic pathways, tumor progression, metastasis, resistance.

15. British Journal of Cancer (BJC)

  • Impact Factor: ~6.8

  • Publisher: Nature / Cancer Research UK

  • Why it matters: Broadly scoped, with strong European readership and historical reputation.

  • History: Founded in 1947.

  • Scope & Readership: Clinicians, epidemiologists, translational scientists.

  • Publishing focus: Large cohort studies, translational research, epidemiology.

16. Cancer Immunology Research

  • Impact Factor: ~8.2

  • Publisher: AACR

  • Why it matters: Dedicated to tumor immunology and immunotherapy.

  • History: Established in 2013, aligned with the immunotherapy revolution.

  • Scope & Readership: Clinicians and immunologists focusing on checkpoint blockade and CAR-T.

  • Publishing focus: Immunotherapy trials, immune biomarkers, translational immunology.

17. Leukemia

  • Impact Factor: ~13.4

  • Publisher: Nature Portfolio

  • Why it matters: The leading journal in hematologic malignancies.

  • History: Founded in 1987.

  • Scope & Readership: Hematologists and oncologists worldwide.

  • Publishing focus: Research on leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas, and bone marrow disorders.

18. The Oncologist

  • Impact Factor: ~4.2

  • Publisher: Oxford University Press

  • Why it matters: Practical, clinician-oriented; balances scientific rigor with readability.

  • History: Founded in 1996.

  • Scope & Readership: Practicing oncologists and trainees.

  • Publishing focus: Clinical reviews, guidelines, case-based reports.

19. Frontiers in Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~3.3

  • Publisher: Frontiers Media

  • Why it matters: Large, open-access journal with wide global reach.

  • History: Founded in 2011.

  • Scope & Readership: Broad clinical and research readership; especially strong in developing regions.

  • Publishing focus: Wide oncology scope, accessible research, and collaborative studies.

20. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC)

  • Impact Factor: ~10.6

  • Publisher: BMJ / Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer

  • Why it matters: Premier journal in immuno-oncology, publishing practice-changing immunotherapy research.

  • History: Founded in 2013, it has grown rapidly with checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapies.

  • Scope & Readership: Oncologists and immunologists worldwide.

  • Publishing focus: Clinical trials, immune biomarkers, mechanistic immuno-oncology.

21. Seminars in Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~2.5

  • Publisher: Elsevier

  • Focus: Review articles, updates on cancer treatment, and clinical management

  • Why it matters: Known for thematic issues that provide comprehensive updates in specific cancer areas. These articles are highly cited and used as reference material by clinicians worldwide.

  • History: First published in 1974, it has developed a strong reputation for educational reviews.

  • Scope & Readership: Practicing oncologists, fellows, and trainees seeking clinical updates.

  • Publishing focus: Mostly invited reviews, but occasionally accepts unsolicited comprehensive articles that provide practice-changing insights.

22. Current Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~3.4

  • Publisher: MDPI

  • Focus: Clinical oncology, treatment updates, epidemiology, and supportive care

  • Why it matters: A Canadian-based open-access journal with steady growth and good indexing, making it highly accessible for international authors.

  • History: Established in 1994, now published by MDPI with rapid OA publication.

  • Scope & Readership: Clinicians and researchers across oncology disciplines, with strong readership in North America and Europe.

  • Publishing focus: Welcomes original studies, clinical reviews, and case series with clinical relevance.

23. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology

  • Impact Factor: ~5.6

  • Publisher: Elsevier

  • Focus: In-depth critical reviews in oncology and hematology

  • Why it matters: One of the most respected review journals, providing authoritative analysis of new developments and controversies.

  • History: Founded in 1981; highly cited in both clinical and laboratory oncology.

  • Scope & Readership: Researchers and clinicians seeking critical evaluations of current data and practice.

  • Publishing focus: Comprehensive reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

24. EClinicalMedicine (The Lancet Discovery Science)

  • Impact Factor: ~10

  • Publisher: The Lancet Group (Elsevier)

  • Focus: Broad clinical medicine, with a strong oncology section

  • Why it matters: Part of The Lancet’s Discovery Science series, EClinicalMedicine is OA and known for fast turnaround. Oncology papers frequently receive wide attention and citations.

  • History: Established in 2018, it quickly gained credibility within the Lancet brand.

  • Scope & Readership: Global clinical and translational readership.

  • Publishing focus: Clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses with immediate practice implications.

25. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology

  • Impact Factor: ~1.6

  • Publisher: Wiley

  • Focus: Clinical oncology, cancer management, and regional oncology issues

  • Why it matters: A key journal for oncology in the Asia-Pacific region, emphasizing clinical practice and cancer care in diverse healthcare systems.

  • History: Published since 2005, official journal of the Clinical Oncology Society of Australia.

  • Scope & Readership: Oncologists and cancer researchers in Asia-Pacific, with global access via Wiley Online.

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