Biographical summary
Katherine Poruk, M.D., is a surgical oncologist specializing in hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers and gastric cancer.
Her clinical focus includes:
- Surgical treatment for benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts
- Surgical treatment for metastatic cancer to the liver and other abdominal organs, including hepatic artery infusion therapies
- Surgical treatment of splenic conditions
- Surgical treatment of gastric and small bowel tumors
Dr. Poruk has specialized experience and training in implementing hepatic arterial infusion pump (HAIP) chemotherapy into certain cancer treatment plans. HAIP therapy involves implanting a pump to deliver specialized chemotherapy drugs directly to metastatic tumors in the liver. Because the chemotherapy is delivered directly to the liver, high doses that are effective against tumors can be used without causing damage to the rest of the body. This reduces side effects and makes HAIP chemotherapy very effective in treating advanced tumors in the liver.
She is interested in finding the most effective outcome for each patient, which includes innovative approaches to surgery and a multidisciplinary approach to care.
Dr. Poruk completed medical school at the University of Utah School of Medicine, her surgical residency and a research fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Conditions treated
Procedures performed
Interests
- Liver surgery
- Pancreatic surgery
- Biliary tract surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Benign pancreatic lesions and cysts
- Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms
- Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
- Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
- Hepatic directed therapies
- Hepatic Artery Infusion Pump (HAIP) Therapies
Mayo Clinic locations
Education
- 2021
Fellowship - Complex General Surgical OncologyMemorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
- 2019
Residency - General SurgeryJohns Hopkins Hospital
- 2016
Research Fellowship - SurgeryJohns Hopkins Hospital
- 2012
MDUniversity of Utah School of Medicine
- 2008
BA - History (Honors)University of Utah
- 2008
BS - Chemistry and Biology (Dual Major)University of Utah
Activities and honors
Certifications
- 2022
Complex General Surgical OncologyAmerican Board of Surgery
- 2020
General SurgeryAmerican Board of Surgery
Professional memberships
- 2024 - present
Commiittee MemberInternational Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association
- 2024 - present
Commiittee MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
- 2024 - present
Test Development Advisory CommitteeAmerican Board of Surgery
- 2023 - present
Active MemberAssociation of Women Surgeons
- 2023 - present
Commiittee MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
- 2023 - present
VolunteerAmerican Board of Surgery
- 2023 - present
Active MemberPancreas Club
- 2022 - present
Commiittee MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
- 2022 - present
PanelistSociety of Surgical Oncology
- 2022 - 2024
Commiittee MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
- 2022 - present
Commiittee MemberAmericas Hepatobiliary Association (AHPBA)
- 2022 - present
Committee MemberAmericas Hepatobiliary Association (AHPBA)
- 2022 - present
Commiittee MemberSociety of Surgical Oncology
Publications