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Updated: May 25, 2026
Global and Current Research Trends of Single-Cell Sequencing in Cancer: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study
Published on: April 18, 2025
The state of research and development in global cancer surgery
Arnie D Purushotham1, Grant Lewison, Richard Sullivan
1King's College London, Strand, London, United Kingdom. ea-resonc.cancerst@kcl.ac.uk
Objective:
The objective of this study was to perform an analysis of global cancer surgery research and development trends over the last 10 years across 21 countries.
Background:
Surgery is the main modality for cancer cure and control globally. Yet, in comparison to other areas such as cancer drugs, we know little about ongoing research activities to inform policymakers.
Methods:
Two subfield filters, surgery research and oncology, were developed and applied to Web of Science. The intersection of these 2 filters identified papers in surgical oncology, and their bibliographic details were downloaded for analysis. This included matching of 5-year citation counts to the papers, impact factor, geographical analysis by country, translational collaboration, involvement in clinical trials, citation on clinical guidelines, and percentage of reviews.
Result:
Surgical oncology represents about 9% of all cancer research-low in comparison with surgery's contribution to cancer treatment. The US published the most, followed by Japan which had a high relative commitment to surgery within cancer research, followed by the large West European countries. Although Sweden's papers were relatively basic, it participated the most in clinical trials. Its papers were also the most cited on clinical guidelines, but contained relatively few reviews, where the UK, Greece, and Belgium scored best. Surgical oncology papers are generally not well cited compared with cancer research overall, but on this measure the Netherlands, the US, and Sweden scored best. International collaboration was measured relative to what might have been expected, on this indicator Canada, Switzerland, and the US were the best performers.
Conclusions:
Globally, low activity-low funding cycle needs to be addressed by new national and supranational policies to support surgical oncology research.
Insights
Global cancer surgery research shows low activity and funding. New policies are needed to boost surgical oncology research and development for better cancer treatment outcomes worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Oncology Research
Background:
- Surgery is a primary cancer treatment modality globally.
- Limited insight into surgical oncology research hinders policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze global cancer surgery research and development trends over the past decade.
- Identify key countries and collaboration patterns in surgical oncology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Web of Science with "surgery research" and "oncology" filters.
- Analyzed bibliographic data including citations, impact factor, and geographical distribution.
- Assessed clinical trial involvement, guideline citations, and international collaboration.
Main Results:
- Surgical oncology constitutes 9% of cancer research, disproportionately low given its treatment role.
- The US leads in publications; Japan and Western European countries show significant commitment.
- Sweden excels in clinical trial participation and guideline citations; UK, Greece, and Belgium lead in reviews.
- The Netherlands, US, and Sweden show the highest citation impact for surgical oncology papers.
- Canada, Switzerland, and the US demonstrate strong international research collaboration.
Conclusions:
- A cycle of low research activity and funding in surgical oncology requires urgent attention.
- National and supranational policies are essential to stimulate surgical oncology research and development.
- Increased support is crucial to advance cancer surgery's role in cure and control.
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