Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recent Publications
US Senate Bill aims to boost cancer trial enrolment and equity
Bryant Furlow
10.1016/s1470-2045(26)00229-9
View Publication
Lymph node surgery and CDK4/6 inhibitors in early breast cancer: a pooled analysis from five randomised trials
André Pfob, Thi Hao Pham, Jana de Boniface, Oreste Davide Gentilini, Sibylle Loibl, Andreas Schneeweiss, Maarten Postma, Antoinette D I van Asselt, Toralf Reimer, Jörg Heil
10.1016/s1470-2045(26)00064-1
View Publication
Estimating the impact of scaling up workforce personnel on global cancer mortality from 2030 to 2050: a simulation-based analysis of 17 cancers and 18 personnel types
Zachary J Ward, Fabio Ynoe Moraes, Andrew M Scott, Fernanda M Favorito, Wil Ngwa, Timothy R Rebbeck, Satish Gopal, Farouk Dako, Stephen Avery, Patrick J Loehrer, Hedvig Hricak
10.1016/s1470-2045(26)00062-8
View Publication
Ionising radiation and cancer: a UN review of the recent epidemiological evidence
Julie J Burtt, Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, Alina V Brenner, Robert D Daniels, Kyoji Furukawa, Klervi Leuraud, Mark P Little, David Pawel, Kristi Randhawa, David B Richardson
10.1016/s1470-2045(26)00115-4
View Publication
How flaws in study design and lead-time bias could affect the interpretation of data – Authors' reply
Chad Tang, Alexander D Sherry, Ryan Sun, Phuoc Tran, David A Palma, Piet Ost
10.1016/s1470-2045(26)00125-7
View Publication
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.
Reformat to Lancet Oncology using Livewrite PremiumWhat 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.
Reformat to Lancet Oncology using Livewrite PremiumResearch 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