Dr. Axel Grothey
MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Director, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research & Medical Oncologist
corporate_fareWest Cancer Center & Research Institute, Memphis, TN, USA
Axel Grothey
MD (Doctor of Medicine)
Dr. Axel Grothey is one of the world's most respected gastrointestinal medical oncologists, widely regarded as a global authority on colorectal cancer. He currently serves as Director of Gastrointestinal Cancer Research and Chair of the Molecular Tumour Board at West Cancer Center & Research Institute in Memphis, Tennessee, where he brings over 35 years of expertise in oncology practice and clinical research.
Trained in Germany at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the West German Tumour Center, and then as a research fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Grothey built a career at the intersection of clinical practice and landmark research. He spent more than a decade as Consultant and Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center before joining West Cancer Center in 2018. Dr. Grothey was the principal investigator of the CORRECT trial – a pivotal phase 3 study that established regorafenib as a standard of care in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer – and has authored or co-authored more than 500 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He has shaped both NCCN and ESMO colorectal cancer guidelines as a committee member, and is well known for introducing the 'continuum of care' framework that redefined how metastatic colorectal cancer is sequenced and managed over time.
Why Consider Dr. Axel Grothey?
Dr. Grothey combines landmark clinical trial leadership, guideline authorship, and day-to-day expertise in complex GI oncology – offering patients access to the highest standard of colorectal and gastrointestinal cancer care.
Areas of Specialisation
Expert-led medical oncology across gastrointestinal cancers, with a primary focus on colorectal cancer and precision-guided systemic therapy.
Dr. Grothey's clinical programme at West Cancer Center integrates chemotherapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy guided by comprehensive molecular profiling. He chairs the molecular tumour board to match patients with biomarker-driven therapies and clinical trials.
Colorectal Cancer
Comprehensive management across all stages – from adjuvant therapy in resected colon cancer to complex metastatic disease.
- arrow_rightFOLFOX and CAPEOX-based first-line combination chemotherapy
- arrow_rightAnti-EGFR therapy (cetuximab, panitumumab) in RAS wild-type disease
- arrow_rightBevacizumab-based anti-angiogenic regimens
- arrow_rightRegorafenib and TAS-102 plus bevacizumab for refractory disease
- arrow_rightBiomarker-driven selection: BRAF, RAS, HER2, FGFR, CLDN18.2 profiling
- arrow_rightCheckpoint inhibitors including pembrolizumab and nivolumab for eligible patients
- arrow_rightIdentification of MSI-H / dMMR status for first-line immunotherapy selection
- arrow_rightOptimised 3- versus 6-month oxaliplatin-based regimens based on IDEA collaboration data
- arrow_rightIndividualised risk-benefit planning for adjuvant chemotherapy duration
Gastrointestinal Oncology – Broad GI Cancers
Medical oncology management for gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers using precision and systemic approaches.
- arrow_rightHER2-positive subgroup management with targeted therapy
- arrow_rightCLDN18.2-positive tumour selection for novel targeted agents
- arrow_rightMulti-agent chemotherapy regimens in metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
- arrow_rightSupportive systemic care aligned with NCCN guidelines
- arrow_rightNext-generation sequencing (NGS) interpretation for biomarker-driven therapy
- arrow_rightMatching patients with targeted therapies and clinical trials via the molecular tumour board
Procedures & Treatments
Systemic and biomarker-guided medical oncology across colorectal and GI cancers
As a medical oncologist, Dr. Grothey specialises in systemic therapies and evidence-based treatment planning rather than surgical or radiation procedures. His approach is informed by molecular profiling, NCCN and ESMO guidelines, and direct involvement in clinical trial design.
Combination Chemotherapy
Medical OncologyAdministration and optimisation of oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based regimens as backbone chemotherapy in both adjuvant and metastatic GI cancer settings.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted TherapyBiomarker-driven selection of targeted agents including anti-EGFR, anti-angiogenic, and multikinase-targeted therapies based on tumour mutation profiling.
Immunotherapy
Medical OncologyImmune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for patients with MSI-H / dMMR colorectal or GI cancers, guided by biomarker selection.
Molecular Profiling & Second Opinion
Second OpinionComprehensive molecular tumour board review for complex GI cases, integrating NGS findings to guide therapy selection and trial eligibility.
Research & Publications
Landmark clinical trial leadership and 500+ peer-reviewed contributions in gastrointestinal oncology
Dr. Grothey is among the most cited colorectal cancer researchers globally. His work spans pivotal randomised trials, real-world cohort studies, guideline-defining analyses, and editorial contributions to major journals including The Lancet, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and The New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Grothey's full publication record is available on PubMed and Google Scholar. His research spans chemotherapy optimisation, targeted agents, immunotherapy, and real-world outcomes in colorectal and GI cancers.
Education & Training
Dr. Grothey completed his medical training in Germany, undertaking his degree and early clinical formation at Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the West German Tumour Center, before pursuing a research fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. He subsequently obtained ABIM board certifications in Internal Medicine, Haematology, and Medical Oncology.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Grothey has over 35 years of experience spanning academic oncology in Germany, a distinguished professorial career at Mayo Clinic, and his current leadership role directing gastrointestinal cancer research at West Cancer Center & Research Institute in Memphis.
Languages & International
Dr. Grothey consults in the following languages.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients who require assistance beyond English or German.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients consulting in other languages.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Axel Grothey
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Axel Grothey's team — with full coordination from initial inquiry to consultation.
Medical Report Review
Free review of your pathology results, imaging, molecular profiling, and treatment history — prepared as a structured clinical summary for Dr. Axel Grothey's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Axel Grothey before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Axel Grothey's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Axel Grothey's team, confirming availability and aligning timelines with your travel plans.
Travel, Visa & Logistics Support
We prepare visa invitation letters, provide hospital-proximity accommodation guidance, and coordinate airport transfers for international patients.
Follow-Up & Continuity of Care
After your consultation or treatment, CancerFax facilitates communication between Dr. Axel Grothey's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Axel Grothey
Dr. Grothey is a specialist in gastrointestinal medical oncology, with a primary focus on colorectal cancer (colon and rectal cancer), including metastatic and treatment-refractory disease. He also manages gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers, oesophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer as part of his broader GI oncology programme at West Cancer Center.
Dr. Grothey has more than 35 years of experience in oncology practice and research. His career spans early clinical training in Germany, over a decade as Consultant and Professor of Oncology at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, and his current directorship of gastrointestinal cancer research at West Cancer Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
Yes. West Cancer Center explicitly welcomes self-referrals and second-opinion consultations. CancerFax can coordinate the preparation and submission of your medical records, pathology reports, imaging, and treatment history to facilitate a second-opinion request with Dr. Grothey's team, subject to hospital availability and case acceptance.
Submit your medical reports through CancerFax. The CancerFax team will review the documents, prepare a structured case summary, and coordinate the next steps with West Cancer Center on your behalf. The final consultation format and timing depend on the doctor's availability and the hospital's international patient pathway.
Dr. Grothey integrates chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFOX and CAPEOX, anti-EGFR targeted agents for RAS wild-type disease, bevacizumab-based anti-angiogenic therapy, and regorafenib or TAS-102 plus bevacizumab for later-line disease. For patients with MSI-H or dMMR tumours, he uses immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab. Therapy selection is guided by NGS-based biomarker profiling through the molecular tumour board.
Yes. Dr. Grothey was the principal investigator of the CORRECT trial, a landmark phase 3 randomised study published in The Lancet in 2013, which established regorafenib as a survival-extending standard of care for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer whose disease progressed after all prior standard therapies.
Yes. Dr. Grothey is a member of the NCCN Guidelines Committees for colon, rectal, and anal cancer, and has served on the ESMO colorectal cancer guidelines committee. His everyday clinical practice directly reflects the evidence-based standards he helps to write.
Connect with Axel Grothey Today
Share your medical reports for a free preliminary review. Our patient coordinators will help you understand your options and arrange a direct consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.