Dr. Rachna Shroff, an internationally recognized gastrointestinal oncologist and associate director of clinical investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, died at age 47 after battling terminal adenocarcinoma.
The death of Dr. Rachna Shroff struck the oncology community with a rare and tragic symmetry as announced by the University of Arizona. A physician-scientist who dedicated decades to studying and treating gastrointestinal cancers, she spent her final months facing an aggressive terminal illness of her own. Diagnosed earlier in 2026 with terminal adenocarcinoma—a cancer starting in glandular cells lining internal organs—she passed away at 47 according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Her medical journey began unexpectedly in May when she noticed a swollen lymph node as reported by Education Times. Testing revealed the disease had already spread, originating likely in her stomach or intestines. Medical teams initially suspected lymphoma before confirming terminal adenocarcinoma.
Born to a nephrologist mother, Amita Trivedi, and a biochemist father, Devendar Trivedi, young Rachna grew up in an environment immersed in the medical sciences. As a high school student in Tucson, she secured the 1993 Osler Fellowship, which sparked her focus on cancer research and gave her a chance to work inside the College of Medicine – Tucson laboratory run by Margaret Briehl, a professor and University of Arizona Cancer Center member. She completed her undergraduate studies in biochemistry at Brown University in 2000 and subsequently earned her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson University. Following her medical degree, she completed her fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2010 and served there as an associate professor of gastrointestinal medical oncology from 2010 to 2018.
Clinical Leadership and Cholangiocarcinoma Expertise at the University of Arizona
Returning to Tucson in 2018 through a homecoming detailed by The Cancer Letter, Shroff took on roles as chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology within the Department of Medicine at the College of Medicine – Tucson and associate director of clinical investigations at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. She also held positions as associate dean for clinical and translational research at the College of Medicine – Tucson and the inaugural John F. and Valli S. Duval Endowed Professor for Gastrointestinal Oncology.
Dr. Rachna Shroff, a renowned cancer researcher at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, has died at the age of 47 after battling an aggressive form of cancer. She spent much of her career researching pancreatic and bile duct cancers, working to develop better treatments for… pic.twitter.com/Fa9oDMhdhS
Nationally, her expertise was recognized through multiple elevated positions, including serving as Hepatobiliary Subcommittee co-chair for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) and as chair for GI ASCO 2024, a gastrointestinal cancers meeting sponsored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She built a high-performing gastrointestinal oncology program that expanded clinical trials across southern Arizona. Colleagues credited her with advancing hundreds of clinical trials while maintaining an active patient load noted in reporting by Today. Internationally respected for her work in cholangiocarcinoma—a rare and historically underfunded bile duct cancer—she authored more than 80 publications and spoke at over 130 professional engagements according to Health and Me.
Rachna was a brilliant oncologist, a dedicated clinical researcher, and a compassionate pillar of our community at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Dan Theodorescu, director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center
Establishing the Conquer Cancer Endowed Young Investigator Award
In September, facing her own life-limiting prognosis, Shroff directed her final energy toward supporting the next generation of researchers. She established the Conquer Cancer – Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO Endowed Young Investigator Award in Biliary Cancers reported the India News Network. Friends, colleagues, and supporters rallied to raise more than $1.35 million within weeks to permanently endow the award.
WMUR noted that Shroff’s own early career had been ignited by a Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award. Deanna van Gestel of Conquer Cancer emphasized the unprecedented speed of the fundraising effort highlighted by The Cancer Letter.
The pace at which this endowment came together is unprecedented and it is because of Dr. Shroff and what she means to us.
Deanna van Gestel, Conquer Cancer
Family Legacy and Personal Reflections
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Puneet Shroff, a professor of medicine and associate director of the Banner Medical Group’s Allergy Clinic, alongside their children, 17-year-old daughter Simran and 13-year-old son Sachin reported Tucson.com. She is also survived by her sister, Neema Sahni.
If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine.
Dr. Rachna Shroff
Her children remembered her tenacity and loving nature, while her husband noted the resilience required to navigate her diagnosis. Contributions in her memory continue to be accepted by Conquer Cancer to sustain the newly established biliary research grants.
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