Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses for detecting significantly mutated genes/pathways in a cancer cohort. A driver gene detection technique taking into account the heterogeneous mutational context in a cancer cohort is disclosed. A statistical model of a gene-specific mutation rate distribution (e.g., using an optimized gene specific mean estimation and/or a gene-specific dispersion estimation) is used to model a sample/gene-specific background mutation rate. The statistical model may then be used to detect gene/pathway enrichment and distinguish tumor suppressors and oncogenes based on the spatial distribution of non-silent mutations, loss-of-function mutations, and/or gain-of-function mutations.