Jessica J. Kandel, MD

Mary Campau Ryerson Professor of Surgery

Surgeon-in-Chief, The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital

Chief, Section of Pediatric Surgery

Jessica J. Kandel, MD, is an expert in pediatric surgery. She specializes in the treatment of pediatric cancers, including Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma, as well as vascular anomalies (hemangiomas, venous malformations, lymphatic malformations).

Dr. Kandel's research focuses on the development and differentiation of blood vessels (angiogenesis) in solid tumors and vascular anomalies. She was a leader in early studies that suppressed tumor growth by blocking vascular endothelial growth factor, a protein that stimulates angiogenesis. Dr. Kandel's work contributed to the development of bevacizumab, a drug used to manage metastatic colorectal, lung, and kidney cancers.

As the primary investigator on several long-term studies, Dr. Kandel's current goal is to understand how tumors become resistant to therapies in order to identify new treatments for refractory cancers. Her research has been funded by notable organizations including the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Dr. Kandel has contributed widely to medical literature, publishing more than 60 peer-reviewed articles and three book chapters on angiogenesis and tumor growth. She currently serves as an editor for Oncology Letters and as an ad hoc reviewer for several other scientific journals. In addition, Dr. Kandel is a popular speaker and a dedicated educator, mentoring medical students, residents, and fellows on a range of research projects related to tumor modeling.

Practice Locations

The University of Chicago Medicine
5841 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

The University of Chicago Medicine
Comer Children's Hospital
5721 S. Maryland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637

University of Chicago Specialists at Merrillville
99 E. 86th Ave
Suite C
Merrillville, IN 46410

Year Started Practice

1995

Board Certifications

General Surgery
Pediatric Surgery

Medical School

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Internship and Residency

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston

Fellowships

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

Memberships

American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Surgeons
American Pediatric Surgical Association
American Surgical Association
Children’s Oncology Group
International Society of Paediatric Surgical Oncology
National Wilms Tumor Study Group
Pediatric Board of the American Board of Surgery
Society of Surgical Oncology
Society of University Surgeons

Language Spoken

English

Email

jkandel@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

Office Phone

(773) 702-6175

Office Fax

(773) 702-1192

Office Postal Address

Jessica J. Kandel, MD
The University of Chicago Medicine
5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 4062
Chicago, IL 60637

Clinical Interests

• Pediatric surgery
• Neonatal surgery
• Pediatric cancer surgery
• Pediatric vascular anomalies
• Wilms tumor
• Neuroblastoma
• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)

Request an appointment online
or call UCM Connect at
1-888-824-0200

Learn More About Dr. Kandel

The Chicago Sun Times recently featured Dr. Kandel and her research in their Sunday Sitdown. Read more.

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence named Dr. Kandel a Master Clinician. Read More.

Soon after Angel Almanza was born, doctors found a hemangioma (benign tumor) on his left arm. When a consult with specialists at Comer Children's Hospital revealed that the "hemangioma" was actually an arteriovenous malformation, Dr. Kandel and a team of experts worked quickly and collaboratively to help Angel. Read more.

Dr. Kandel was selected as a Fellow of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program. The program is dedicated to developing female leadership in academic medicine.

Selected Publications

View a partial list of Dr. Kandel's publications through the National Library of Medicine's PubMed online database.