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The Lancet Oncology

The Lancet Oncology is a clinical oncology journal publishing peer reviewed original research, especially reports from clinical trials, as well as reviews, comment and opinion, weekly news, and Commissions. It covers international issues relevant to clinical cancer specialties worldwide, including topics that advance clinical practice, challenge the status quo, advocate change in health policy, and address global oncology.

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Subject Oncology
Impact Factor 35.9
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 1470-2045
eISSN 1474-5488
Invitation Only No
Cost Range USD 8,810 APC for The Lancet Oncology as of Jan 1, 2026.

Submission Instructions

The Lancet Oncology accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Articles

Cover Letter A covering letter is required with the submission. The covering letter must clearly state reasons for fast-track publication if fast-track publication is requested.
Abstract A semistructured abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 300 words. Abstract must be semistructured in five paragraphs. Abstract headings must be Background, Methods, Findings, Interpretation, and Funding.
Manuscript Articles should be up to 3500 words, but randomised controlled trial Articles may be up to 4500 words. Manuscript must include a research in context panel, and reports of randomised trials must include a "Randomisation and masking" section within the Methods section. Manuscript must include a research in context panel without references, a declaration of interests at the end of the text, authors' contributions at the end of the manuscript, a funding acknowledgment at the end of the text, a "Role of the funding source" subheading at the end of the Methods section or as an acknowledgment if there is no Methods section, a data sharing statement at the end of the manuscript, and an acknowledgment statement disclosing any generative AI use in writing with the model name, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References Articles should have 30 references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, journal names must use standard Index Medicus abbreviations, and references with seven or more authors must list the first three followed by et al.
Figures & Tables The manuscript must include tables and panels, and figures must be included with the submission. When reporting Kaplan-Meier survival data, numbers at risk must be included at each timepoint.
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Reviews

Cover Letter A covering letter is required.
Abstract An abstract is required as a 150 word unstructured summary. Abstract must be 150 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript Reviews should be up to 4500 words. Reviews must include a brief section entitled "Search strategy and selection criteria". The manuscript must include declaration of interests and source of funding statements, author contributions at the end of the manuscript, and an acknowledgment disclosure statement for any generative AI use naming the model, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References Reviews should have a maximum of 75 references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, list all authors when there are six or fewer and the first three followed by et al when there are seven or more, and use standard Index Medicus journal abbreviations.
Figures & Tables Use of up to 5–6 illustrations is encouraged. Submissions should include the manuscript including tables and panels and should include figures.
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Policy Review

Cover Letter A covering letter must be included with the submission.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Policy Reviews are narrative reviews and should follow the same guidelines as a Review. The manuscript must include declaration of interests and source of funding statements, author contributions, and any generative AI use disclosure in the acknowledgments section.
References References must be cited in Vancouver numbering style using superscript numbers after punctuation marks. References must be numbered sequentially, journal names abbreviated in Index Medicus style, up to six authors listed in full, and seven or more authors shortened to the first three followed by et al.
Figures & Tables The submission must include the manuscript including tables and panels, and figures must also be included.
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Meta-Analysis

Cover Letter A covering letter is required with the submission.
Abstract A semistructured summary is required for meta-analyses. The abstract must be semistructured.
Manuscript Meta-analysis manuscripts should aim for a maximum length of about 3500 words. Meta-analysis manuscripts should be structured as Summary, Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. The manuscript must include declaration of interests and source of funding statements, author contributions at the end of the manuscript, and an acknowledgment statement disclosing any generative AI or AI-assisted writing use with the tool name, version, prompt, and how and where it was used.
References Meta-analyses should have 75 references. References must use Vancouver numbering style. References must be cited sequentially as superscript numbers after punctuation, use standard Index Medicus journal abbreviations, list all authors if there are six or fewer, and list the first three followed by et al if there are seven or more.
Figures & Tables The manuscript file must include tables and panels, and figures must be included with the submission.
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Correspondence

Cover Letter A covering letter must be included with the submission.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Correspondence should be no longer than 400 words. Declaration of interests and source of funding statements must be included, author contributions should be specified at the end of the manuscript, and any use of generative AI in writing must be disclosed in a statement at the end of the article acknowledging the model name, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References Correspondence should have no more than five references. References must use Vancouver numbering style with sequential superscript citation numbers in the text. Journal names must be abbreviated in Index Medicus form, references with six or fewer authors must list all authors, and references with seven or more authors must list the first three followed by et al.
Figures & Tables Only one table or figure is permitted. The manuscript must include tables and panels, and figures must be included with the submission.
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Clinical Picture

Cover Letter A covering letter must be included with the submission.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Clinical Picture text must not exceed 300 words. Clinical Picture text must include a brief patient history and explain what the image shows and why it is of interest to the general reader. Submission must include a challenging clinical question related to the case, four possible answers, contributor information at the end of the manuscript, declaration of interests and source of funding statements, and an AI-use disclosure in the acknowledgments if generative AI was used in writing.
References Clinical Pictures must have no references. References are numbered in Vancouver style. References must be cited sequentially in the text as superscript numbers after punctuation, with journal titles abbreviated in Index Medicus style and up to six authors listed in full or the first three followed by et al for seven or more authors.
Figures & Tables Submission must include the manuscript including tables and panels, and figures. Annotated figures must be provided as both an annotated copy and a non-annotated editable copy, and multipart figures must be supplied as individual parts plus a combined version.
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Comment

Cover Letter A covering letter must be included with the submission.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Unsolicited Comments should be no more than 750 words. Declaration of interests and source of funding statements must be included, author contributions should be specified at the end of the manuscript, and any use of generative AI in writing must be disclosed in a statement at the end of the article naming the model, version, exact prompt, and how and where it was used.
References Unsolicited Comments should have no more than ten references. References must be cited in Vancouver numbering style. References must be numbered sequentially in the text, journal names should be abbreviated in Index Medicus style, and references with seven or more authors should list the first three followed by et al while those with six or fewer should list all authors.
Figures & Tables Unsolicited Comments may include one figure, panel, or small table. The manuscript including tables and panels should be submitted with the submission, and figures should also be included.
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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

2 days from submission to first decision; 34 days from submission to decision after review; 34 days from submission to acceptance; 80 days from acceptance to online publication.

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What are the publication costs?

The Lancet Oncology hybrid open access APC is USD 8,810 as of Jan 1, 2026. APCs are paid upon acceptance and taxes are not included.

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Research Topics

Lung Cancer Treatments and Mutations Global Cancer Incidence and Screening Economic and Financial Impacts of Cancer Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers Advances in Oncology and Radiotherapy Breast Cancer Treatment Studies Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life Colorectal Cancer Treatments and Studies Lymphoma Diagnosis and Treatment Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology HER2/EGFR in Cancer Research Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Lung Cancer Research Studies Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Gastric Cancer Management and Outcomes Glioma Diagnosis and Treatment Ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment Cervical Cancer and HPV Research BRCA gene mutations in cancer Head and Neck Cancer Studies Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research Colorectal Cancer Screening and Detection

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