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Home > IL Providers > Surgical Oncologists

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD

(84 Ratings)

Specializes in: Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery)

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (1994)

Professional interests include: breast surgery, partial mastectomy, breast biopsy, and more.

2650 Ridge Avenue Suite 1155
Evanston, IL 60201

(847) 570-1700

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD is a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL specializing in surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1994 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Katharine Yao, MD is affiliated with Endeavor Health.

Office Locations

2650 Ridge Avenue Suite 1155
Evanston, IL 60201

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Some issues Dr. Katharine Yao, MD can help you with:

Breast Biopsy

Breast biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of tissue is collected from the breast for testing. A physician may prescribe a breast biopsy for a variety of reasons, but they are most frequently prescribed for a lump found in the breast. Biopsy samples extracted are examined by pathologists in a laboratory setting and are tested to determine if they are cancerous or benign, or indicative of some other condition. Depending on the lab results, physicians may prescribe additional treatment. Other circumstances which may prompt a breast biopsy include:

Mammograms that detect other unusual features in the chest, such as a cyst or calcium deposit
Breast scans or ultrasounds that display abnormalities
Nipple changes, such as scaling, crusting, or bloody discharge

Breast biopsies are collected through several different procedures and the specific type of biopsy that a patient receives depends on the size, location, and features of a breast lump or irregularity. The three main methods of collecting a breast biopsy include:

Fine needle aspiration (FNA biopsy), where a thin needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting a small sample of tissue or liquid
Core needle biopsy (CNB biopsy), where a hollow needle is directed into a breast lump or abnormality, extracting cylinders of tissue called "cores"
Open (surgical) biopsy, where a breast lump is removed through an incision in the breast

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) are sometimes image-guided, where a mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI helps direct the physician performing the needle extraction.

Fine needle aspiration, the most common biopsy method, generally requires few patient preparations. It is recommended patients avoid using lotion, deodorant, and perfume prior to their biopsy procedure. FNA biopsy is performed with local anesthesia (topical numbing cream) and typically has a quick recovery, but patients may experience soreness for a few days. Core needle biopsy extracts slightly more tissue than an FNA biopsy.

Open (surgical) biopsy is more invasive and requires general anesthesia, where patients are put to sleep during the procedure. Patients must fast prior to the surgery. After the biopsy is performed, patients are monitored in a recovery room for a time before being discharged, when they will need someone else to provide transportation.

Although some may consider breast biopsy to be a simple procedure, it can catch critical issues - particularly breast cancer - that impact wellness. If a breast biopsy reveals an underlying condition like life-threatening cancer, patients can receive the diagnosis and medical treatment that is necessary for their long-term health.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“For those answers, we turn to breast surgeon Dr. Katharine Yao of the American College of Surgeons and NorthShore University HealthSystem.”—"More on breast cancer screening recommendations", WGN 9, October 2023

“"There was a statistically significant difference,... but the absolute difference between these two numbers is quite small," reported Katharine Yao, MD, of NorthShore University HealthSystem in...”—"Is Sentinel Node Biopsy Necessary for Older Breast Cancer Patients?", MedPage Today, April 2022

“Money raised through the event supports breast cancer research led by Dr. Katharine Yao, chief of surgical oncology at NorthShore University HealthSystem.”—"Local tennis clubs participate in 'Court the Cure' for breast cancer", The Daily Northwestern, September 2017

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

breast core needle biopsy without imaging guidance

By Affordability:

breast biopsy

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within Illinois, Dr. Katharine Yao, MD performed more breast core needle biopsy without imaging guidance procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and she also had a list price for breast biopsy that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Volume:

breast cancer surgery

mastectomy for breast cancer

In 2023, Dr. Katharine Yao, MD performed more breast cancer surgery, and mastectomy for breast cancer procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within Illinois.

Top 25%

By Volume:

breast procedures

excision

lymph node procedures

surgical lymph node biopsy

By Affordability:

deep lymph node biopsy

lymph node biopsy

open lymph node biopsy

surgical lymph node biopsy

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within Illinois, Dr. Katharine Yao, MD performed more breast procedures, excision, lymph node procedures, and surgical lymph node biopsy procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and she also had a list price for deep lymph node biopsy, lymph node biopsy, open lymph node biopsy, and surgical lymph node biopsy that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2012 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	59
cancer surgery	59
diagnostic procedures	30
doctor visit	443
excision	89
lymph node procedures	61
open surgery	30

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2013 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	64
cancer surgery	52
diagnostic procedures	55
doctor visit	512
excision	95
lymph node procedures	87
minimally invasive procedures	12
minor procedures	12
open surgery	43

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	351
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	208
From 75 to 84	130
85 and over	36
Less than 65	14

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2013

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	16
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	9
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	15
Dementia	4
Cancer	70

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2014 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	72
cancer surgery	59
diagnostic procedures	55
doctor visit	540
excision	101
lymph node procedures	84
minimally invasive procedures	13
minor procedures	13
open surgery	42

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	382
Black	23
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	17
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	240
From 75 to 84	136
85 and over	39
Less than 65	19

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2014

Hypertension	43
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	9
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	14
Dementia	3
Cancer	72

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2015 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	41
cancer surgery	41
diagnostic procedures	25
doctor visit	418
excision	66
lymph node procedures	51
open surgery	25

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	630
Black	42
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	30
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	408
From 75 to 84	230
85 and over	68
Less than 65	22

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2015

Hypertension	42
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	9
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	16
Dementia	3
Cancer	69

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2016 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	44
cancer surgery	44
diagnostic procedures	29
doctor visit	265
excision	73
lymph node procedures	59
open surgery	29

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	182
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	120
From 75 to 84	64
85 and over	19
Less than 65	12

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2016

Hypertension	41
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	16
Dementia	0
Cancer	71

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2017 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	34
cancer surgery	34
diagnostic procedures	27
doctor visit	262
excision	61
lymph node procedures	56
open surgery	27

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	171
Black	15
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	125
From 75 to 84	58
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2017

Hypertension	42
High Cholesterol	26
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	10
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	18
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	16
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2018 were excision, breast procedures, cancer surgery and lymph node procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	58
cancer surgery	58
diagnostic procedures	29
doctor visit	393
excision	87
lymph node procedures	56
open surgery	29

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	316

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	267
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	19
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	179
From 75 to 84	100
85 and over	26
Less than 65	11

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2018

Hypertension	47
High Cholesterol	42
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	20
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	15
Dementia	0
Cancer	73

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2019 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	48
cancer surgery	48
diagnostic procedures	31
doctor visit	445
excision	79
lymph node procedures	62
open surgery	31

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	375

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	318
Black	16
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	19
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	199
From 75 to 84	130
85 and over	31
Less than 65	15

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2019

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	21
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	15
Dementia	0
Cancer	71

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2020 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	45
cancer surgery	45
diagnostic procedures	30
doctor visit	357
excision	75
lymph node procedures	60
open surgery	30

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	232
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	19
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	160
From 75 to 84	94
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2020

Hypertension	38
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	5
Heart Failure	7
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	4
Diabetes	17
Dementia	0
Cancer	74

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2021 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	58
cancer surgery	58
diagnostic procedures	34
doctor visit	364
excision	92
lymph node procedures	67
open surgery	34

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	260
Black	17
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	15
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	163
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2021

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	25
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	19
Dementia	4
Cancer	72

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL during 2022 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	38
cancer surgery	38
diagnostic procedures	20
doctor visit	352
excision	58
lymph node procedures	41
open surgery	20

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	226
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	14
Other	16
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	137
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD in 2022

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	11
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	11
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	29
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	5
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	19
Dementia	4
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated as a surgical oncologist in Evanston, IL were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

breast procedures	51
cancer surgery	48
diagnostic procedures	33
doctor visit	395
excision	79
lymph node procedures	62
minimally invasive procedures	12
minor procedures	12
open surgery	30

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD.

**Gender**
Female	62
Male	0

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	15
Asian / Pacific Islander	1
Non-Hispanic White	274
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	12

**Age**
85 and over	19
75 to 84	105
Less than 65	8
65 to 74	176

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Katharine Yao, MD treated were cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension and osteoperosis.

Hypertension	40
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	13
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	10
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	17
Heart Failure	6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	5
Diabetes	14
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Dementia	1
Cancer	65

Education & Training

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 1994. She completed residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery and has a state license in Illinois.

Medical School: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (1994)

Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (2001)

Board Certification: American Board of Surgery (2002)

Licensed In: Illinois

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Endeavor Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.89 out of 5 stars based on 84 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Katharine Yao, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Evanston, IL.

4.89

Overall Rating

(84 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Katharine Yao, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Elucent Medical	$195 $195
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.	$145 SEAMGUARD Bioabsorbable Staple $145
Lilly USA, LLC	$111 CYRAMZA $111
Merit Medical Systems Inc	$100 SAVI SCOUT $100
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	$30 Da Vinci Surgical System $30

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$471
Education	$111

Research Payments

Dr. Katharine Yao, MD has received 1 research payments totaling $23,790.

Biography

Dr. Katharine Yao works as a surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She attended medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Dr. Yao's medical residency was performed at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. These areas are among her clinical interests: breast biopsy, cyst aspiration, and benign breast disease. Patients gave Dr. Yao an average rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). She is affiliated with Endeavor Health.