Oncologist Near Me – Matti Aapro: Pioneering Excellence in Cancer Care and Geriatric Oncology

Oncologist Near Me: Matti Aapro

Welcome to OncoDaily‘s special section “Oncologist Near Me” where we introduce prominent oncologists from around the world.

Here, you can get to know the leading cancer specialists in your area, including both personal and professional details that you won’t find in their research articles.

Interested solely in research? We’ve got that covered too! Discover top research articles by the author, learn about their academic achievements, awards, and honors, watch their interviews, and memorize some quotes for much-needed inspiration!

We’ve curated the internet to find the most important information about them. If you have more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

Matti Aapro, MD

Matti Aapro is a world-renowned medical oncologist focusing on breast cancer, supportive care, and geriatric oncology based at Genolier Clinic, Switzerland. He is the President of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC) and president of All.Can. Dr. Aapro is the Chair of the Editorial Board for OncoDaily Medical Journal and a Board Member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). He is also a past President of the European Cancer Organisation.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Matti Aapro was born in Brazil, where his grandfather had emigrated from Finland. After completing secondary school in Switzerland, he married his Italian wife. Dr. Aapro received his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and later became a fellow at the Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson. It is not so surprising then that Matti Aapro speaks several languages including English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Finnish, and German.

Career

Currently, Dr. Aapro serves as a medical Oncologist at Genolier Clinic, in Switzerland. He is the President of Sharing Progress in Cancer Care (SPCC), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing cancer care pathways and fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals. He has held this position since 2o19. Since 2023 he has also been leading All.Can International, is an initiative focused on optimizing cancer care delivery and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Dr. Aapro is a Board member of various institutions. He has been a Board Member of the Genolier Cancer Center in Switzerland for already 35 years. His role as an Executive Board Member of the International Society for Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) highlights his dedication to improving cancer care for older adults, a field he has championed throughout his career. He is also an Executive Board member of the European School of Oncology (ESO). Additionally, In 2024, Dr. Aapro was introduced as the Chair of the Editorial Board for OncoDaily Medical Journal and was re-elected as a Board Member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

As the President of the European Cancer Organisation (ECO) from 2020 to 2021, he led initiatives to advance cancer care across Europe, with a strong emphasis on patient-centered policies. He was the President of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and was on its Board of Directors for 2012-2014. Dr. Aapro is President of Honour of the French-speaking Society for Supportive Care (AFSOS), as well as Advisor to the Japanese Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (JASCC).

Dr. Aapro is the Founding Chair of the Medical and Radiation Therapy Department at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan  He has also contributed to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) as a Board Member, supporting advancements in cancer research and clinical trials.

Dr. Aapro led the scientific and organizing committees for UICC’s (International Union Against Cancer) World Cancer Congress in Geneva (2008) and Shenzhen, China (2010). Additionally, he is a member of the ESMO Faculty and chaired the Supportive/Palliative Care track at ESMO 2018.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Aapro is deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of oncologists. He understands the impact that guidance and support can have on shaping careers and advancing cancer care. Through his leadership roles in organizations like the European Cancer Organisation and the International Society for Geriatric Oncology, he actively engages in mentorship, sharing his insights and experience. Whether through workshops, educational programs, or one-on-one conversations, he is always eager to support young professionals. For Dr. Aapro, mentorship isn’t just a responsibility—it’s something he truly enjoys, knowing that nurturing future oncologists helps improve patient care and the field as a whole.

Matti Aapro with his mentee Martin Harutyunyan. Photo credit to Martin Harutyunyan

Honors and Awards

• Honorary doctorate from the University of Tampere, Finland
• Acta Oncologica Award (2010)
• ASCO B.J. Kennedy Prize, American Society of Clinical Oncology (2012)
• Doctor Honoris Causa, University of Tampere (2013)
• Distinguished Services Award, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) (2016)
• Honorary Member, Russian Society for Clinical Oncology (RUSSCO) (2016)

Research

Dr. Matti Aapro has made huge contributions to oncology research, with a strong focus on new drug development, breast cancer, supportive care, and geriatric oncology. His work has significantly advanced patient care and influenced treatment strategies worldwide. He is the author of over 350 publications in peer-reviewed journals, like New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Annals of Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology,  and Journal of Geriatric Oncology

In addition to his research, Dr. Aapro has played a pivotal role in academic publishing. He has held several prestigious editorial positions, including:

• Honorary Editor of Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology
• Founding Editor of the Journal of Geriatric Oncology
• Associate Editor for the geriatric section of The Oncologist
• Editor of the Journal of Cancer Policy
• Editorial Board Member for Annals of Oncology, Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer, OncoDaily Medical Journal, and other esteemed journals.

Matii Aapro at Breast Gynecological and Immunooncology International Cancer Conference, 2025

Top 10 papers by Matti Aapro 

1. Sullivan R, Peppercorn J, Sikora K, Zalcberg J, Meropol NJ, Amir E, Khayat D, Boyle P, Autier P, Tannock IF, Fojo T, Siderov J, Williamson S, Camporesi S, McVie JG, Purushotham AD, Naredi P, Eggermont A, Brennan MF, Steinberg ML, De Ridder M, McCloskey SA, Verellen D, Roberts T, Storme G, Hicks RJ, Ell PJ, Hirsch BR, Carbone DP, Schulman KA, Catchpole P, Taylor D, Geissler J, Brinker NG, Meltzer D, Kerr D, Aapro M. Delivering affordable cancer care in high-income countries. Lancet Oncol. 2011 Sep;12(10):933-80. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(11)70141-3. PMID: 21958503.
2. Aapro MS, Cameron DA, Pettengell R, Bohlius J, Crawford J, Ellis M, Kearney N, Lyman GH, Tjan-Heijnen VC, Walewski J, Weber DC, Zielinski C; European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Guidelines Working Party. EORTC guidelines for the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in adult patients with lymphomas and solid tumours. Eur J Cancer. 2006 Oct;42(15):2433-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.05.002. Epub 2006 Jun 5. PMID: 16750358.
3. Navari RM, Aapro M. Antiemetic Prophylaxis for Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting. N Engl J Med. 2016 Apr 7;374(14):1356-67. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1515442. PMID: 27050207.
4. Papamichael D, Audisio RA, Glimelius B, de Gramont A, Glynne-Jones R, Haller D, Köhne CH, Rostoft S, Lemmens V, Mitry E, Rutten H, Sargent D, Sastre J, Seymour M, Starling N, Van Cutsem E, Aapro M. Treatment of colorectal cancer in older patients: International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) consensus recommendations 2013. Ann Oncol. 2015 Mar;26(3):463-76. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdu253. Epub 2014 Jul 11. PMID: 25015334.
5. Wildiers H, Kunkler I, Biganzoli L, Fracheboud J, Vlastos G, Bernard-Marty C, Hurria A, Extermann M, Girre V, Brain E, Audisio RA, Bartelink H, Barton M, Giordano SH, Muss H, Aapro M. Management of breast cancer in elderly individuals: recommendations of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology. Lancet Oncol. 2007 Dec;8(12):1101-1115. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(07)70378-9. PMID: 18054880.
6. Aapro M, Arends J, Bozzetti F, Fearon K, Grunberg SM, Herrstedt J, Hopkinson J, Jacquelin-Ravel N, Jatoi A, Kaasa S, Strasser F; ESMO (European School of Medical Oncology). Early recognition of malnutrition and cachexia in the cancer patient: a position paper of a European School of Oncology Task Force. Ann Oncol. 2014 Aug;25(8):1492-9. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdu085. Epub 2014 Feb 25. PMID: 24569913.
7. Aapro MS, Köhne CH, Cohen HJ, Extermann M. Never too old? Age should not be a barrier to enrollment in cancer clinical trials. Oncologist. 2005 Mar;10(3):198-204. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.10-3-198. PMID: 15793223.
8. Aapro MS, Link H. September 2007 update on EORTC guidelines and anemia management with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Oncologist. 2008;13 Suppl 3:33-6. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.13-S3-33. PMID: 18458123.
9. Lichtman SM, Wildiers H, Launay-Vacher V, Steer C, Chatelut E, Aapro M. International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) recommendations for the adjustment of dosing in elderly cancer patients with renal insufficiency. Eur J Cancer. 2007 Jan;43(1):14-34. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2006.11.004. PMID: 17222747.
10. Droz JP, Albrand G, Gillessen S, Hughes S, Mottet N, Oudard S, Payne H, Puts M, Zulian G, Balducci L, Aapro M. Management of Prostate Cancer in Elderly Patients: Recommendations of a Task Force of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology. Eur Urol. 2017 Oct;72(4):521-531. doi: 10.1016/j.eururo.2016.12.025. Epub 2017 Jan 11. PMID: 28089304.

*Most cited papers, where Matti Aapro is the first or last author according to Google Scholar

Interviews and Lectures with Matti Aapro

Dr. Matti Aapro on Leading in Oncology: Inspiring Mentorship Tips – OncoDaily

The Comfort Corner #1: Dialogue with Matti Aapro., hosted by Martin Harutyunyan – OncoDaily 

Supportive Care to Improve Results in Colorectal Cancer Care, Matti Aapro – OncoDaily 

Adapting Global Medical Guidelines: Dr. Matti Aapro on Harmonizing Healthcare Standards – OncoDaily

An Interview with Prof. Matti Aapro at EBCC-9 – EMJ 

The Impact of Personalised Medicine IN Elderly Patients with Cancer – ESMO 

Beyond the white coat

For Prof. Matti Aapro, family always comes first. He finds his greatest joy in spending time with his three grandchildren, watching them grow, and being there for them. A true lover of the arts, he never misses a chance to attend a concert or an opera, and classical music has a special place in his heart. His curiosity about different cultures keeps him exploring art exhibitions and new experiences. At home, he shares his life with several cats and enjoys great food—he’s definitely a gourmand!

Matti Aapro at the Victory Park of Yerevan. Photo credit to Martin Harutyunyan

Quotes from Matti Aapro

“Don’t rely solely on prescribing medication to support a patient. If you can’t provide psychological support yourself, ensure you have a team that can offer it.”

“Patients cannot be asked to be ‘patient’. Time is never on their side. So, instead of taking steps, let us run with something better.”

“One of the key factors in lung cancer is obviously to prevent. To prevent means stop tobacco.”

“We all do something for our patients, call it whatever you want to call it, just do it well.”

“We have to collaborate with our colleagues if we don’t have the expertise to diagnose the patient and give the benefit of a better quality of life.”

“My experiences around the world have made me keenly aware of how each patient is a member of a family, a community, and a society. We are people, and regardless of the cards life has dealt us, there are inescapable human frailties that can affect us all, illness being one of them.”

“Every patient I have treated has left a profound and lasting impact on me. Not only do I remember their faces, I remember their joys and anxieties. And in the face of sometimes pain – and death – I made a quiet promise to each of them.”

How to contact him?

Email:  [email protected]
Location: Rte du Muids 3, 1272 Genolier, Switzerland

References

1. Matti Aapro, MD – European Cancer Organisation
2. Matti Aapro – Oncopedia, European History of Oncology
3. Dr. Matti Aapro – International Foundation For Patient Blood Management
4. Introducing Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board Chair of OncoDaily Medical Journal – OncoDaily
5. Support Matti Aapro in Becoming a UICC Board Member – European Cancer Organisation
6. Matti Aapro is running for the UICC Board of Directors – OncoDaily
7. Matti Aapro – LinkedIn
8. Matti Aapro – Swiss Medical Network

See also: