Renowned Cancer Researcher Rachna Shroff Dies at 47 After Cancer Battle

(Dr. Rachna Shroff. Photo Credit: People.com)

Dr Rachna Shroff, a top cancer researcher and associate director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center, has died at the age of 47.

The university announced her death on Monday, October 12, saying she lost her battle with an aggressive cancer.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology called her one of the leading experts on pancreatic and bile duct cancers.

She was also known as a mentor who supported many young researchers.

Shroff was diagnosed earlier this year after a lymph node began to swell in May.

Doctors later found that the cancer had spread, most likely from the digestive system.

It was confirmed as terminal adenocarcinoma, a cancer that affects the glands lining the organs.

Even while she was ill, she kept working.

She helped set up the Conquer Cancer Rachna Shroff Endowed Young Investigator Award for bile duct cancer research.

She also raised more than $1.35 million for future cancer studies.

Her work on bile duct cancer, called cholangiocarcinoma, earned her wide respect.

At the time, this cancer had very few treatment options.

She also worked on new treatments for pancreatic and liver related cancers.

She is survived by her husband, Dr Puneet Shroff, and their children, Simran and Sachin.

Her father, Devendar Trivedi, her mother, Dr Amita Trivedi, and her sister, Neema Sahni, also survive her.