Dr. Giorgos C. Karakousis

Doctor Overview

Dr. Giorgos C. Karakousis is a surgical oncologist and treats patients at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. He is also the chief of the division of endocrine and oncologic surgery. He specializes in heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for advanced abdominal cancers, such as peritoneal mesothelioma.

Dr. Karakousis is a national member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), Association for Academic Surgery, Scientific Advisory Board, Melanoma International Foundation, National Society of Surgical Oncology and Society of University Surgeons. Dr. Karakousis has also authored dozens of scientific publications about multimodal treatment options for patients with cancer.

Doctor Fast Facts

Main Specialty: Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery

Other Interests & Specialties: Cancer risk reduction surgery, cancer surgery, cytoreduction surgery, fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal cancer, head and neck sarcoma, intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemoperfusion, laparotomy and leiomyosarcoma.

Certifications, Awards & Accolades: American Board of Surgery certification in General Surgery, America’s Top Doctors for 2017, named in Philadelphia Magazine’s annual “Top Docs” issues for 2018 and 2019

Education & Experience:

• Medical Degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
• Residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Publications

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal surface malignancy. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. February 2016;7(1):1-2. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2015.133

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the time of surgery is not associated with increased 30-day morbidity and mortality following colorectal resection. Annals of Surgical Oncology. May 2015;22(5):1664-72. doi: 10.1245/s10434-014-3975-0

Then and now: cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a historical perspective. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. February 2016;7(1):18-28. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2078-6891.2015.106