Dr. Mark Knab

Knab joined the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola with training in minimally invasive surgical techniques and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, also known as HIPEC.

He takes pride in Loyola’s reputation for the personalization of care that patients receive from the day they first arrive.

“For every patient, this is a journey, which often starts with what can be a really scary diagnose of cancer,” Knab said. “It’s important for me to take the time, and explain everything that’s going on, and let them know we’re there with them all the way through.”

Specializes in HIPEC Procedure

Knab specializes in the surgical management of advanced-stage cancers of the abdomen.

HIPEC is often used in combination with cytoreductive surgery for certain cases of colorectal, appendiceal, ovarian and peritoneal cancers.

The surgery and HIPEC combination has significantly increased survival rates for many cancers, including peritoneal mesothelioma.

HIPEC involves a heated chemotherapy solution that is circulated for up to 90 minutes throughout the abdominal cavity immediately following aggressive surgery.

The high-dose chemotherapy is designed to kill any microscopic tumor cells that evaded the surgeon and prevent or delay any recurrence. The solution is removed before surgical closure.

Focus on Minimally Invasive Techniques

Knab also is trained in interventional endoscopy, a more minimally invasive approach to the treatment of conditions involving the intestines, esophagus, liver, pancreas and gallbladder.

The technique can provide a diagnosis and treatment that typically has shorter recovery periods and fewer complications than aggressive surgery.

In 2021, a research study focusing on robot-assisted pancreatic surgery cited Dr. Knab’s previous work on a novel robotic training curriculum in a complex general surgical oncology fellowship.

Accomplished Speaker and Author

Knab earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine.

He completed his residency at nearby Northwestern University, where he received the Susan Perlman Award, given to the top trainee for academic and clinical excellence.

Knab did his fellowship in complex and general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.

He has presented at national and regional medical conferences on HIPEC delivery and endoscopy, along with writing several articles and book chapters on those topics.

By starting his career at Loyola, he joined a nationally recognized team of doctors from a wide variety of clinical specialties.

The collaborative, caring approach fit him perfectly.

“One of Loyola’s strengths is really caring for the human spirit. It’s one of the foundational aspects of what we do here,” he said. “Nowhere is that more important than with cancer care.”