Professor Markus W. Büchler is a world-renowned surgical oncologist who served as Professor of Surgery and Clinic Director of the Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital from 2001 until March 2023. He received his medical education at the Ruprecht Karls University of Heidelberg and the Free University of Berlin, completing his doctorate in 1980 followed by licensure as a physician in Berlin. Prior to his tenure in Heidelberg, he established himself as a leading surgical innovator during his time as Professor of Surgery and Clinic Director at the University Hospital Bern from 1993 to 2001. He also held positions as University Professor at the Department of Surgery at Ulm University Hospital from 1991 to 1993, building a foundation for his distinguished career in abdominal and pancreatic surgery.
Professor Büchler's groundbreaking research has fundamentally advanced the field of pancreatic cancer surgery, with his work establishing new standards for treatment protocols worldwide. As co-author of more than 2,700 scientific publications cited over 90,000 times with an H-index of 133, his research has significantly shaped evidence-based approaches to surgical oncology. His clinical trials and studies have directly influenced therapeutic standards for pancreatic cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients through optimized surgical techniques and integrated treatment approaches. The European Pancreas Center he directed became recognized as the largest pancreatic cancer center in the Western world, serving as a model for multidisciplinary cancer care and research.
His exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards including the German Cancer Prize in 2021, the Living Legend Status from the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association in 2020, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the European Pancreatic Club in 2016. Throughout his career, Professor Büchler has mentored approximately 100 surgeons who have gone on to become professors or chief surgeons themselves, profoundly influencing the next generation of surgical leaders. He has served in significant leadership roles including president of the German Society of Surgery and the German Society of General and Visceral Surgery, while also contributing to the field as editor-in-chief of Langenbecks Archiv der Chirurgie since 2010. His ongoing work continues to shape global standards in surgical oncology and pancreatic disease management through collaborative research initiatives and educational programs.
