Top 10 Sarcoma Journals

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, providing people with the opportunity to learn more about this rare form of cancer that claims the lives of more than 5,000 Americans annually. There’s still a lot that is unknown about sarcomas, which are cancerous tumors that can occur almost anywhere in the body. Primarily, they tend to develop in the bones and soft tissues – including fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissues and fibrous tissues.

Here you will find the top 10 Sarcoma journals ranked by the 2-year Journal Impact Factor (2-JIF) – a measure of the frequency with which the articles within the journal are cited in a particular 2-year period.

We have also included some other factors for each journal in our assessment to round off the picture.

Journal Metrics

Impact factor*

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is based on Web of Science data and only includes documents such as articles and reviews. The JIF helps to understand the importance of how often articles are cited by addressing the bias that arises from comparing citation numbers. This bias tends to advantage bigger journals over smaller ones, those published more often over those with fewer issues, and older journals over newer ones. This is because larger or older journals usually have more articles to be cited. By considering the impact factor, we can more fairly compare journals by taking into account these differences in size, publication frequency, and age. A JIF of 3 or more is considered good and 1 is average.

CiteScore*

CiteScore is based on Scopus data for all indexed documents, including articles, letters and editorials, as well as articles and reviews. The CiteScore for a particular year is calculated by dividing the number of citations to all indexed documents within the journal from that year and the three preceding years by the total number of documents published in the journal within that same period.

*Impact factor and CiteScore have the most meaning when used to compare journals within the same therapeutic area. Many academics value a journal’s Impact Factor over its Citescore; therefore they will use the impact factor to rank other journals in the same field.

SCImago Journal Rank (SJR)

The SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) indicator evaluates the prestige of academic journals by considering not only the number of citations a journal receives but also the prestige of the journals that issue these citations. An SJR >1.0 is above average. This measurement can be helpful to rank journals within the same field and category.

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP)

Source Normalised Impact per Paper (SNIP) weights citations based on the total number of citations in a subject field to provide a contextual, subject-specific metric. A SNIP over 1.0 means a journal has more citations than average.

Other Journal considerations

In addition to SJR ranking and journal impact factor, a good quality journal generally has the following characteristics:

1. It is indexed on PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science or another reputable journal index.
2. It has an up-to-date website, a clear scope, extensive information for authors and readers, and a publicly visible editorial board consisting of appropriately qualified board members affiliated with accredited universities and research institutions.
3. Each article is assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI).

Top 10 Sarcoma Journals

Selecting the right journal for your research is a critical step that can make or break the impact of your work. This is where a medcomms agency like Rx Communications can become an essential ally. With a deep understanding of the scientific publishing world and high levels of therapeutic area expertise, a medcomms agency worth its salt should be able to provide support at any stage of the publishing process. This includes assisting in finding journals that match your research area and larger aims, and shaping your manuscript so it reflects the ethos and audience of your chosen journal, as well as guiding you through the entire submission process including managing revisions, and planning for post-publication promotion and dealing with rejection.

Rx can increase your chances of not just getting published, but also ensuring your research makes the waves it deserves.

Ca: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

The CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians is one of the world’s leading cancer journals, published by the American Cancer Society. It aims to provide medical professionals in cancer care with the most up-to-date information about diagnosis, treatment and prevention. From scientific and educational information, to review articles and continuing education, it is able to reach a diverse range of specialists. The journal is published bi-monthly.

• Website: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/15424863
• Impact Factor: 254.7
• CiteScore: 642.9
• SJR: 86.091
• SNIP: 153.478
• H-Index: 198

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology covers a range of subjects relating to the field of oncology, from diagnosis to experimental therapies, genetics, palliative care, prevention, screening and signal transduction. Written by clinical academics and researchers, the journal captures its audience from the postgraduate level up, with a focus on practising doctors, researchers and academics within the oncology speciality

• Website: https://www.nature.com/nrclinonc/
• Impact Factor: 78.8
• CiteScore: 75.5
• SJR: 14.809
• SNIP: 8.319
• H-Index: 198

Nature Reviews Cancer

Nature Reviews Cancer is another world-leading journal, published in the UK by the Nature Publishing Group. It only publishes non-primary articles – such as reviews, news, views and comment articles – as opposed to primary articles (research articles). Authoritative, accessible and enhanced, the Nature Reviews Cancer journal aims to publish content that has clearly understandable figures, tables and other display items to maximize the usability and usefulness of each article.

• Website: https://www.nature.com/nrc/
• Impact Factor: 78.5
• CiteScore: 96.7
• SJR: 20.977
• SNIP: 10.357
• H-Index: 484

The Lancet Oncology

Published in the UK by the Lancet Publishing Group, The Lancet Oncology journal is a monthly journal that covers international issues relevant to clinical cancer specialists worldwide. While it publishes a range of reviews, comments, opinions, weekly news and commissions, it also focuses on high-quality, peer-reviewed research and reports from clinical trials. From content that aids in advancing clinical practice, the journal also aims to challenge the status quo, advocate for changes in health policies where beneficial for patients, and tackle global challenges related to oncology. You will also find some podcasts, infographics and curated web content.

• Website: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/home
• Impact Factor: 51.1
• CiteScore: 62
• SJR: 12.27
• SNIP: 10.918
• H-Index: 382

Annals of Oncology

The Annals of Oncology is the journal of both the European Society for Medical Oncology and the Japanese Society of Medical Oncology. Its particular area of focus is on systemic anticancer therapy, randomized trials, top-level guidelines and new fields that are currently emerging for personalized medicine (molecular pathology, bioinformatics, modern statistics and biotechnologies). The journal is known for its rapid and efficient peer-reviewed publications related to innovative cancer treatments.

• Website: https://www.annalsofoncology.org/
• Impact Factor: 50.5
• CiteScore: 63
• SJR: 11.945
• SNIP: 8.208
• H-Index: 277

Cancer Cell

The Cancer Cell journal is published in the US by Cell Press, providing a high-profile forum to promote major advances in cancer research and oncology. The journal focuses on published studies that provide significant gains in terms of insights into still unanswered questions about naturally occurring cancers, including translational research. The journal also prefers to publish clinical investigations that allow for the establishment of new treatment, diagnosis and/or prevention of cancer.

• Website: https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/home
• Impact Factor: 50.3
• CiteScore: 52.9
• SJR: 12.578
• SNIP: 5.274
• H-Index: 378

Journal of Hematology and Oncology

Journal of Hematology & Oncology is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal that covers all aspects of hematology and oncology. Launched in 2008, it has quickly risen to the top quartile of journals worldwide in these fields. The journal publishes a wide range of articles, including original research, reviews, and editorials on the latest developments and advancements in the treatment and understanding of blood and cancer disorders. With a commitment to high-quality research, the Journal of Hematology & Oncology is a key resource for hematologists, oncologists, and researchers in related disciplines, offering insights into both clinical applications and fundamental research.

• Website: https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/
• Impact Factor: 28.5
• CiteScore: 38.4
• SJR: 6.046
• SNIP: 4.045
• H-Index: 122

JAMA Oncology

JAMA Oncology is a premier publication in the field of cancer research and treatment, offering the latest insights into oncology genetics, prevention, and cancer treatment strategies. As part of the reputable JAMA Network, this journal provides peer-reviewed articles on significant advances in cancer science, including breakthroughs in checkpoint inhibitors, treatment for breast, prostate, and lung cancers, and the role of aspirin in cancer prevention. With a focus on both clinical application and research, JAMA Oncology is an essential resource for oncologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals looking to stay at the forefront of cancer treatment and genetics.

• Website: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology
• Impact Factor: 28.4
• CiteScore: 44.3
• SJR: 8.103
• SNIP: 6.653
• H-Index: 154

Clinical Cancer Research

Clinical Cancer Research focuses on bridging lab discoveries with clinical applications, particularly emphasizing clinical trials of new treatments, pharmacology, and biomarkers for therapy responses. It values research on new drug development, targeted therapies, cancer progression mechanisms, and potential clinical trial leads. The journal covers targeted treatments, drug resistance, personalized medicine, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and advanced diagnostics, aiming to foster innovations in treatment strategies and patient care.

• Website: https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres
• Impact Factor: 11.5
• CiteScore: 21.8
• SJR: 4.603
• SNIP: 2.156
• H-Index: 362

Journal of Bone Oncology

The first journal dedicated to cancer-induced bone diseases, the Journal of Bone Oncology is an international, peer-reviewed journal that focuses on bone metastases and preclinical models of metastasis bone microenvironment in cancer. The journal also covers topics such as cancer treatment-induced bone loss, bone imaging, bone biomarkers and a range of other orthopedic and bone tumor reviews, articles and studies.

• Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-bone-oncology
• Impact Factor: 3.4
• CiteScore: 7.2
• SJR: 0.92
• SNIP: 1.293
• H-Index: 33

Publish or Perish - as true now as it ever was

In the high-stakes world of pharma and biotech, "Publish or Perish" isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s the stark reality. For pharma companies and researchers, it’s not enough to develop breakthroughs; the real challenge lies in getting those findings recognised in top journals. In this game, it’s not just about playing your cards right; it’s about having a seasoned player on your team. With Rx Communications in your corner, you’ll be giving yourself the best chance to make an impact with your research. Explore our Publications Support Services here.

How to Stay Up-to-Date with Sarcoma Research Developments

For pharma professionals and researchers working in the field of sarcomas, it is vital to stay abreast of the latest research advancements. To stay on top you might:

• Consider subscribing to our newsletter and receive updates to our top journal lists as well as other relevant industry and therapeutic developments as they happen.
• Register for an account with your selected journal to get direct access to new research as it's published.
• Customise an RSS feed for your selected journals to also further streamline the process, delivering the latest papers and articles directly to your digital doorstep.
• Setting up a Google alert with sarcoma research keywords to capture relevant news and studies from across the web.
• Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of social media; by following the publishers and journals in the field, you’ll tap into a community of shared knowledge and discourse.

* Article originally written by Erin Harrison and first published in 2022, updated by Beth Howe and the Rx Team for 2024!