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John A. Kalapurakal, MD

4.9

811 ratings Read Reviews

Northwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Radiation Oncology

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Education

Medical Education:: MD, Medical College Thiruvananthapuram - 1988
Internship:: University of Tennessee - 1993
Residency:: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University - 1997

Bio

Dr. Kalapurakal has been in practice for almost 30 years. He is greatly dedicated to the health, medical care and welfare of all his patients. Dr. Kalapurakal treats adults and children with cancer. In adults, his primary focus is on patients with prostate cancer and brain tumors. He treats children with all types of cancers including solid tumors and leukemias. Dr. Kalapurakal conducts research, and his main research interests are in prostate cancer, brain tumors and Wilms tumor. He is passionate about discovering new options for hard-to-treat cancers and innovative ways to minimize complications. Dr. Kalapurakal also enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and rooting for his favorite sports teams.

Languages Spoken

Hindi
Malayalam
Tamil

Board Certifications

American Board of Radiology/Radiation Oncology - Radiation Oncology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:: Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:: Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:: Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9

4.9

811 Ratings

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

February 25, 2026

5.0

Dr. K. is knowledgeable and caring.

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February 24, 2026

5.0

professtional empathetic

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February 21, 2026

5.0

Confident, knowledgeable, friendly .... Could not ask for a better experience

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February 17, 2026

5.0

Understanding and knowledgeable and efficient.

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February 15, 2026

5.0

competent and caring, sees me personally doesn't use nurse visits instead

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February 13, 2026

5.0

empathetic, professional

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February 09, 2026

5.0

Competent, patient Doctors and nurses

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February 05, 2026

5.0

doctor John Kalapurakal is th best, so considerate, very commpassionate about his work and his care for his patients, been with him for over 12 years.

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February 01, 2026

5.0

The best. Treats his patients with utmost concern, care and information.

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January 31, 2026

5.0

Exceptional physician, great demeanor & attitude, very respectful.

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January 24, 2026

5.0

He is warm and focused on going the full mile to beat back my recurrent prostate cancer.

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January 17, 2026

5.0

A professional and very polite

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January 11, 2026

5.0

Excellent personal skills, makes himself available.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

Great staff

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January 07, 2026

5.0

There is no one more knowledgeable and caring than Dr. John.

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January 02, 2026

5.0

Outstanding, caring physician!

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December 27, 2025

5.0

Shows extreme concern for his patients. Explains everything in the amount of detail you need to know.

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December 26, 2025

5.0

An exceptional man. The doctor had a kindly and courteous manner. I found a level of comfort in that. However he is a serious man. His diagnosis of my medical issue was absolutely brilliant. His evaluation of me seemed based on something beyond mere textbook learning. He had an ability to synthesize his evaluation of my symptoms with his vast experience and knowledge. It is a mystery how he does it and I am grateful that I was in his hands at a critical time for me.

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Excellent. A true caring and compassionate comprehensive medical professional, and a very convivial personality that is warm and open to the patient's needs.

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December 21, 2025

5.0

Very informative and confident....

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December 21, 2025

5.0

The Absolute Best.

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December 19, 2025

5.0

Dr. John and Dr. [last name] were both tremendous. But Dr. John is an angel from heaven. Can I give him a 20 for bedside manner? He is WONDERFUL. He alone would be a reason to choose Northwestern. I'm telling everyone.

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December 19, 2025

5.0

He was thoughtful and kind and very encouraging, just what you want in your physician.

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Knows what he is doing

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Analyzes problems, communicates effectively, posits diagnosed situations, manages follow up effectively.

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December 16, 2025

5.0

Very kind and caring

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December 13, 2025

5.0

Very thorough and intelligent; easy to discuss options.

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Professional

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December 10, 2025

5.0

Great professional knowledge and compassionate care

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December 09, 2025

5.0

I liked his demeanor. Great care and patience

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December 08, 2025

5.0

He shows a great deal of empathy to his patients and does an excellent job of explaining everything so anyone can understand.

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Dr John is both knowledgeable and patient

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November 29, 2025

5.0

A wonderful person who has devoted his life to the care of patients and the research to eradicate cancer.

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November 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is a good listener and a good explainer.

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November 26, 2025

5.0

Competent care with patience and knowledge.

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November 21, 2025

5.0

One thing is certain; Dr. Kalapurakal is charming and charismatic. He was funny, chatty and had humerus anecdotes that urged me to be more health minded. He even accompanied me out to the reception desk to smooth the way for the next appointment. An all around smart and good fellow!

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November 21, 2025

5.0

Explained treatment needed very clearly, took time for questions, good bedside manner

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Dr John and staff are knowledgeable and patient.

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November 16, 2025

5.0

I don't have any problems with the patient care that I am receiving from Doctor John.

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November 15, 2025

5.0

Very gracious and knowledgeable. Answered all our questions and presented sound plan.

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November 14, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is very attentive to your situation. He is pleasant to speak to and is very honest, confident and reassuring in your treatment.

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October 24, 2025

5.0

Great, super helpful

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October 23, 2025

5.0

He was very comforting and upfront from the first moment we met.

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October 20, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kalapurakal has shown kindness and consideration for me regarding my treatment and consultations.

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October 14, 2025

5.0

Professional, empathetic

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Very comforting!

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October 10, 2025

5.0

One of the very best doctors at Northwestern Medical.

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October 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. John K. I like him and he very knowledgeable along with his intern's. I like an unfarnished truth and John can provide it for me. All my doctors and nurses and staff at NW are very good to me. GAM

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October 07, 2025

5.0

The best ever explains everything takes his time with you

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October 07, 2025

5.0

Has great people skills and is very thorough

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October 03, 2025

5.0

Treated me as a fellow person took take and walked in my shoes to make me feel comfortable

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October 02, 2025

5.0

Doctor John Kalapurakal is a very caring and compassionate person, he always makes sure that his patients receive the best care possible.

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September 29, 2025

5.0

He is great Doctor to me

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September 28, 2025

5.0

Outstanding for his concern for me and for his staff. Exceptional.

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September 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is absolutely the best!!

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September 27, 2025

5.0

He is so informative and he takes his time with you and answers all of your questions

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September 24, 2025

5.0

Dr. John treats me like I'm the only patient he has always takes time to make sure that everything is going well during my treatment.

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September 23, 2025

5.0

He was a ten of answered my questions regards to my visit No real procedures were done just a general info update on my health very cordial very professional.

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September 16, 2025

5.0

Dr John is excellent

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September 13, 2025

5.0

professional empathetic clear

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September 09, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is the stellar combination of a skilled clinician and a very approachable caregiver

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September 05, 2025

5.0

He is a thorough thoughtful compassionate physician

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September 02, 2025

5.0

Dr.Kalapurakal was absolutely great...I truly appreciate and believe in him.

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August 30, 2025

5.0

Has time to explain what the problem is and how NW will solve it.

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August 30, 2025

5.0

Very compassionate.

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August 27, 2025

5.0

He is knowledgeable and cares about the patient and future procedures.

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August 27, 2025

5.0

Dr John is a very very good oncologist it explains everything he's very thorough and he's an excellent excellent doctor

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August 22, 2025

5.0

He was very pleasant and thorough in his examination. He asked questions and thought of alternatives and explained exactly what he was going to do which was a surprise and set a time to call me in several weeks after consulting with some of the other doctors involved in my case. He wanted to know past experiences and asked why, and when questions in his examination, his assistant was very excellent in explaining procedures and expectations and things that might be experienced by me. Answered my questions and my wife's who accompanied me.

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August 02, 2025

5.0

Takes the time to listen to patient concerns, highly confident and works proactively to address patient needs.

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August 02, 2025

5.0

Dr. John and his Staff are friendly, punctual, knowledgeable and professional.

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August 01, 2025

5.0

A vere good Dr.

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July 31, 2025

5.0

He is one of the sweetest, and most humble doctors I have ever met. I know he is amazingly good at what he does, and couldn't be a nicer person.

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July 31, 2025

5.0

Very professional, respectful.

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July 29, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kalapurakal, is very knowledgeable and provide the treatment for my prostate cancer with the utmost efficiency and intelligence. He always took the time necessary in order for me to understand my treatment. I am currently cancer free and hope to stay that way. I owe that to Dr. Kalapurakal,.

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July 28, 2025

5.0

Can't say enough nice things about after John that carries been giving me

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July 26, 2025

5.0

he is best doctor to me thank you

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July 24, 2025

4.0

He cares

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July 23, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is very knowledgeable, patient, a good listener...

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July 22, 2025

5.0

Very caring and professional. I need that as I entrust him with my life!

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July 21, 2025

5.0

He is extremely clinically competent and a kind, caring professional who takes time for each patient.

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July 18, 2025

5.0

Excellent physician, very knowledgeable and efficient, respectful, understanding, patient, kind,

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July 16, 2025

5.0

In addition to above the Doctor's positive attitude towards the patient.

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July 14, 2025

5.0

Why it is very professional

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July 12, 2025

5.0

He demonstrated tremendous knowledge and was very patient and caring in his explanations.

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July 10, 2025

5.0

He has lots of experience and is very knowledgeable. Also actually cares about the individual he is treating.

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June 28, 2025

5.0

Dr. John has been working with us for 8 years. He always takes his time with our daughter and truly cares about her well-being. He always squeezes time in to see her and let's me know to reach out if we need anything. Very sweet man, great bedside manner, we love Dr. John!

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June 27, 2025

5.0

Dr. John is very kind, caring and knowledgeable about treating patients.

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June 27, 2025

5.0

He is wonderful at communicating and manages to answer our questions even before we know them!

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June 25, 2025

5.0

Dr. Kalapurakal took time to see me off his normal schedule. He was patient, understanding, and took the time to listen to me and my family's concerns. Dr. John is very experienced in his field. He has high confidence in himself which I appreciate and made me and my family members feel comfortable with his proposed treatment plan.

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June 24, 2025

5.0

I look upon him as a personal friend as well as a superb professional.

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June 20, 2025

5.0

He cares

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June 20, 2025

5.0

Experienced with excellent patient management skills.

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June 18, 2025

5.0

communication and thoroughness

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June 17, 2025

5.0

There is no Doctor like Dr. John! Besides being a medical genuis he is just an incredibly wonderful man. He also extended my life!!!!!! The Best!!

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June 17, 2025

5.0

A Doctor that helps you to get healthy

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June 13, 2025

5.0

Dr John has such a calming demeanor and positive outlook. He makes a stressful situation manageable

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June 13, 2025

5.0

The care was absolutely top-notch! They were so attentive and really took the time to listen. Plus, they did a fantastic job of explaining everything clearly.

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June 11, 2025

5.0

He is very knowledgeable, kind and explained everything well. He cares and it shows!

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June 10, 2025

5.0

compassionate, very knowledgeable, treated me like an individual

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June 10, 2025

5.0

He is a saint. The best doctor I have ever had in 82 years. I thank the Lord that he was my doctor.

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Disclosures

John A. Kalapurakal, MD reported no external professional relationships for calendar year 2024.

External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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HealthBeat

Cancer Survivor Becomes Father’s Advocate

After being diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor as a child, Chiara Rodgers became an advocate and a symbol of strength for others. When her father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, she knew exactly how to help him.

More HealthBeat Articles