Thomas F. Kolon, MD
Areas of expertise: Andrology, Cloacal variants, Complex Reconstruction, Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testis), Disorders of sex development, Hypospadias, Pediatric urologic oncology, Varicocele, Wilms tumor
Locations: Main Building, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, Specialty Care, Atlantic County, Specialty Care, Princeton at Plainsboro, Specialty Care & Surgery Center, Voorhees
About Thomas F. Kolon, MD
Thomas Kolon, MD, is Chief of the Division of Urology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a Professor of Urology (Surgery) at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds the Howard M. Snyder III Endowed Chair in Pediatric Urology.
Dr. Kolon's highest priority is to help patients and their families understand a child’s condition and all of their treatment options. He is an expert in the care of children with genital disorders and renal/bladder/prostate cancers. He has published extensively in the area of long-term follow-up of patients with undescended testis and varicocele, with specific emphasis on fertility preservation and rehabilitation. Dr. Kolon is world-renowned in this area, authoring national guidelines regarding these conditions.
Planning Surgery Using 3D Printed Organs
Dr. Kolon's expertise in pediatric urologic oncology includes optimizing organ-sparing surgery and preservation of fertility in oncology patients. This research, in collaboration with oncology colleagues at CHOP and Penn, has led to publications in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and Nature Communications. He also serves as Urology Director of CHOP's Differences of Sex Development Program and works extensively in concert with colleagues in endocrinology, genetics and psychology helping patients with genital atypia so that reconstruction, if needed, will optimize genitourinary function and patient satisfaction.
Dr. Kolon earned his medical degree from Georgetown School of Medicine and completed his urologic training at the University of Connecticut. Following his pediatric urology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital, he served as Director of Pediatric Urology at the Naval Medical Center - San Diego. He joined the urology staff at CHOP in 2001 and has served as Secretary of the Medical Staff, Chair of the Ethics Committee, and a member of the Executive Board of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Practice Association (CHOPPA). Dr. Kolon was the 2020 recipient of the John W. Duckett Jr., Pediatric Urology Research Excellence Award, which honors a “physician-scientist for their outstanding work in pediatric urology” and the keynote speaker for the John Duckett Memorial Lecture at the 2021 AUA meeting.
As the CHOP Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program Director, Dr. Kolon is dedicated to the highest standard of education of our next generation of pediatric urologists. He ensures that physician trainees embrace the philosophy of cura personalis or “care of the whole person” and are committed to making a meaningful difference in each patient’s life. The foundation of expert sub-specialization in CHOP Urology ensures a team approach with constant communication and striving for improvement. The CHOP Fellowship Program contributes to the advancement of pediatric urologic knowledge by discovering and sharing knowledge and fostering personal and professional excellence. It is often said that “the higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation,” and the foundation of knowledge, dedication and teamwork at CHOP Urology runs very deep.
Titles
Chief of the Division of Urology
Professor of Urology in Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Certifications
Pediatric Urology – American Board of Urology
Urology – American Board of Urology
Awards and Honors
2015-2016, 2022, Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors in Pediatric Urology
2013-2015, America’s Top Doctors for Cancer, Castle Connolly
2013, Clinical Research Award Finalist, Pediatric Urology Fall Congress
2012, Second Prize, Clinical Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting: Section on Urology
2012-2014, Philadelphia Super Doctors
2011, First Prize, Clinical Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting: Section on Urology
2011, First Prize, Clinical Presentation, Society for Fetal Urology Biannual Meeting
2011-2016, The Leading Physicians of the World- Top Urologist in Philadelphia, PA
2011, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare
2011, New Jersey: Most Recommended Physicians
2010-2015, America’s Top Surgeons, Castle Connolly
2009-2016, 2022, SJ Mag's Top Docs in Urology
2009, Best in Session, Pediatrics: Congenital Anomalies- Lower Urinary Tract and Genitalia I- Moderated Poster Session, American Urologic Association Annual Meeting
2007-2016, 2022, South Jersey Magazine's Top Physicians in Pediatric Urology
2005-2014, Best Doctors in America
2005, First Prize, Fellow’s Research Poster Day, the Joseph Stokes, Jr. Research Institute/CHOP
2004, First Prize, Fellow’s Research Poster Day, the Joseph Stokes, Jr. Research Institute/CHOP
2004, Third Prize, Research Award, Society for Pediatric Urology
2003, First Prize, Clinical Presentation, Society for Fetal Urology Biannual Meeting
2001, Second Prize, Clinical Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting: Section on Urology
2000, Pfizer Research Scholars in Urology Award
2000, First Prize, Clinical Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Meeting: Section on Urology
1993, Best in Session, Localized Prostate Cancer poster session, American Urologic Association Annual Meeting
1992, Clinical Research Prize Finalist, American Fertility Society Annual Meeting
1989, Ridings-Gladwin Prize, Georgetown School of Medicine
1986-1989, Health Professions Scholarship Program
1985-1987, Class President, Georgetown School of Medicine
1985, Georgetown School of Medicine Endowed Scholarship
1984, Cum Laude graduate of Villanova University
1983-1984, Alpha Epsilon Delta - National Premedical Honor Society
1980-1984, Villanova Dean's List
1980-1984, Villanova University Honors Program
1980-1984, Villanova University Endowed Scholarship
Leadership and Memberships
2008-present, National Catholic Bioethics Center
2004-present, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
2004-present, Society for the Study of Male Reproduction
2004-present, Society of University Urologists
2002-present, American Association of Pediatric Urologists
- Director of Research, 2006-present
2001-present, Society for Pediatric Urology
1995-present, Society for Fetal Urology
1999-present, American Academy of Pediatrics- Section on Urology
- Fellow, 2002-present
- Executive Committee, 2015-2017
1999-present, American Academy of Pediatrics- Section on Urology
1993-present, American Urological Association
1989-present, American Medical Association
Editorial and Academic Positions
Editorial Positions
Reviewer
2015-present, European Journal of Pediatrics
2015-present, Annals of Surgery
2011-present, BMC Pediatrics
2010-present, The Scientific World- Urology
2007-present, Pediatrics
2007-present, The Anatomical Record
2007-present, Journal of Pediatric Urology
2007-present, Expert Review of Clinical Immunology
2007-present, Pediatric Surgery International
2007-present, Biology of Reproduction
2005-present, Asian Journal of Andrology
005-present, Journal of Andrology
2003-present, British Journal of Urology
2001-present, Journal of Urology
1998-present, Urology
Institutional Committees
2016, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Practice Association Executive Board (CHOPPA)
2016, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Practice Association Executive Committee (CHOPPA)
2015-2017, Chair, Ethics Committee (CHOP)
2016, Interim Chair, Ambulatory Surgicenter Committee (CHOP)
2014-present, Ambulatory Surgicenter Committee (CHOP)
2013-present, New Jersey Physician Advisory Council (CHOP)
2009-present, Surgical Site Infections Committee (CHOP)
2009-present, OR Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Committee (CHOP)
2009-present, Patient Safety and QI Champions (CHOP)
2008-present, Executive Committee of Medical Staff (CHOP)
2004-present, Executive Committee of Medical Staff, Information Systems Committee (CHOP)
Research Interests
Molecular etiology of genital anomalies, especially cryptorchidism and disorders of sex development
Education & training
Graduate Degree
MS - Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Medical Degree
MD - Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
Internship
Surgery - Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
Residency
Surgery and Urology - University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT
Fellowship
Pediatric Urology - Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
Publications
Publications
2018
Campbell IM, Sheppard SE, Crowley TB, McGinn DE, Bailey A, McGinn MJ, Unolt M, Homans JF, Chen EY, Salmons HI, Gaynor JW, Goldmuntz E, Jackson OA2, Katz LE, Mascarenhas MR, Deeney VFX, Castelein RM, Zur KB, Elden L, Kallish S, Kolon TF, Hopkins SE, Chadehumbe MA, Lambert MP, Forbes BJ, Moldenhauer JS, Schindewolf EM1, Solot CB, Moss EM, Gur RE, Sullivan KE, Emanuel BS, Zackai EH, McDonald-McGinn DM. What is new with 22q? An update from the 22q and You Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Oct;176(10):2058-2069. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.40637.
2016
Frimberger D, Mercado-Deane MG, McKenna PH, Austin JC, Austin PF, Cooper CS, Greenfield SP, Herndon CD, Kolon TF, MacNeily AE, Park JM, Wan JH, Mercado-Deane MG, Annam A, Bulas D, Cassese J, Milla S, Seidel FG, Cassady C. Establishing a Standard Protocol for the Voiding Cystourethrography. Pediatrics Nov;138(5), 2016.
Nokoff NJ, Palmer B, Mullins AJ, Aston CE, Austin P, Baskin L, Bernabe´K, Chan Y-M, Cheng EY, Diamond DA, Fried A, Frimberger D, Galan D, Gonzalez L, Greenfield S, Kolon TF, Kropp B, Lakshmanan Y, Meyer S, Meyer T, Mullins LL, Paradis A, Poppas D, Reddy P, Schulte M, Scott Reyes KJ, Swartz JM, Wolfe-Christensen C, Yerkes E, Wisniewski AB. Prospective assessment of cosmesis before and after genital surgery. J Pediatr Urol Epub ahead of print. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.08.017
Wolfe-Christensen C, Wisniewski AB, Mullins AJ, Scott Reyes KJ, Austin P, Baskin L, Bernabe K, Cheng E, Fried A, Frimberger D, Galan D, Gonzalez L, Greenfield S, Kolon TF, Kropp B, Lakshmana Y, Meyer S, Meyer T, Nokoff NJ, Palmer B, Poppas D, Paradis A, Yerkes E, Mullins LL. Changes in Levels of Parental Distress after their Child with Atypical Genitalia Undergoes Genitoplasty, J Pediatr Urol, Epub ahead of print. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.10.024
Long CJ, Chu DI , Tenney RW, Morris AR, Weiss DA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Zderic SA, Kolon TF, and Canning DA. Intermediate-term follow up of proximal hypospadias repair reveals high complication rate. J Pediatr Urol, Epub ahead of print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2016.11.054
Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, and Kolon TF. The Natural History of Semen Parameters in Untreated Asymptomatic Adolescent Varicocele Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Pediatr Urol, Epub ahead of print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.09.008.
Chu DI, Zderic SA, Shukla AR, Srinivasan AK, Tasian GE, Weiss DA, Long CJ, Canning DA, and Kolon TF. Does varicocelectomy improve semen analysis outcomes in adolescents without testicular asymmetry? J Ped Urol, Epub ahead of print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.09.010.
Mouriquand PDE, Gorduza DB, Gay CL, Meyer-Bahlburg HFL, Baker L, Baskin LS, Bouvattier C, Braga L, Caldamone AC, Duranteau L, El Ghoneimi A, Hensle TW, Hoebeke P, Kaefer M, Kalfa N, Kolon TF, Manzoni G, Mure PY, Nordenskjold A, Pippi Salle JL, Poppas DP, Ransley PG, Rink RC, Rodrigo R, Sann L, Schober J, Sibai H, Wisniewski A, Wolffenbuttel KP, and Lee P. Surgery in disorders of sex development with a gender issue: If (why), when, and how? J Pediatr Urol, Epub ahead of print. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpurol.2016.04.001.
Wang Y, Li J, Kolon TF, Fisfer AIO, Figueroa TE, BaniHani AH, Hagerty JA, Gonzalez R, Noh PH, Chiavacci RM, Harden KR, Abrams DJ, Robbins AK, Stabley D, Kim CE, Sol-Church K, Hakonarson H, Devoto M, and Barthold JS. Genomic copy number variation association study in Caucasian patients with nonsyndromic cryptorchidism. BMC Urology, 16:62, 2016.
2015
Barthold JS, Wang Y, Kolon TF, Kollin C, Nordenskjöld A, Fisher AO, Figueroa TE, BaniHani AH, Hagerty JA, Gonzalez R, Noh PH, Chiavacci RM, Harden KR, Abrams DJ, Kim CE, Li J, Hakonarson H, Devoto M. Pathway analysis supports association of nonsyndromic cryptorchidism with genetic loci linked to cytoskeleton-dependent functions. Hum Reprod, Oct;30(10):2439-51, 2015.
Pietzak EJ, Tasian GE, Tasian SK, Brinster RL, Carlson C, Ginsberg JP, and Kolon TF. Histology of testicular biopsy specimens obtained for cryopreservation and future re-implantation as a fertility-preserving technique. J Urol 194(5):1420-4, 2015.
Long CI, Weiss DA, Kolon TF, Srinivasan AK, and Shukla AR. Pediatric calyceal diverticulum treatment: An experience with endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches. J Pediatr Urol. 2015 Aug;11(4):172.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2015.04.013. Epub 2015 May 21.
Barthold JS, Wang Y, Kolon T, Nordenskjold A, Olivant-Fisher A, Figueroa TE, BaniHani A, Hagerty J, Gonzalez R, Noh P, Chiavacci R, Harden K, Abrams D, Mateson A, Robbins A, Li J, Akins Jr R, Hakonarson H, and Devoto M. Phenotype-specific association of the TGFBR3 locus with nonsyndromic cryptorchidism. J Urol 193(5):1637-1645, 2015.
2014
Ginsberg JP, Li Y, Carlson CA, Gracia CR, Hobbie WL, Miller, VA, Mulhall JP, Shnorhavorian M, Brinster RL, and Kolon TF. Testicular tissue cryopreservation in prepubertal male children: An analysis of parental decision-making. Ped Blood Cancer, 61:1673-1678, 2014.
Kolon TF, Herndon CDA, Baker LA, Baskin LS, Baxter CG, Cheng EY, Diaz M, Lee PA, Seashore CJ, Tasian GE, and Barthold JS. Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism: AUA Guideline. J Urol, 192(2):337-345, 2014.
Christman MS, Zderic SA, Canning DA, and Kolon TF. Active surveillance of the adolescent with varicocele: predicting semen outcomes with varicocele. J Urol 191(5):1401-6, 2014.
Christman MS, Zderic SA, and Kolon TF. Comparison of testicular volume differential calculations in adolescents with a varicocele. J Ped Urol 10(2):396-8, 2014
2013
Christman MS, Kraft KH, Tasian GE, Zderic SA, Kolon TF. Reproducibility and reliability of semen analyses in youths at risk for infertility. J Urol. 2013 Feb 19. doi:pii: S0022-5347(13)00299-1. 10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.030. [Epub ahead of print].
Christman MS, Zderic SA, Kolon TF. Comparison of semen analyses amongst youths with a history of cryptorchidism or varicocele. J Urol. 2013 Feb 14. doi:pii: S0022-5347(13)00286-3. 10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.017. [Epub ahead of print].
2012
Kraft KH, Bhargava N, Schast AP, Canning DA, Kolon TF. Histological examination of solitary contralateral descended testis in congenital absence of the testis. J Urol. 2012 Feb;187(2):676-80. Epub 2011 Dec 16. Cited in PubMed; PMID 22177918.
Kraft KH, Canning DA, Snyder HM 3rd, Kolon TF. Undescended testis histology correlation with adult hormone levels and semen analysis. J Urol. 2012 Oct;188(4 Suppl):1429-35. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2012.04.025. Epub 2012 Aug 17. Cited in PubMed; PMID 22906677.
2011
Kraft KH, Mucksavage P, Canning DA, Snyder HM III, Kolon TF. Histological findings in patients with cryptorchidism and testis-epididymis nonfusion. J Urol. 2011 Nov;186(5):2045-9. Epub 2011 Sep 23. Cited in PubMed; PMID 21944137.
Kraft KH, Bhargava N, Schast AW, Canning DA, Kolon TF. Histological examination of solitary contralateral descended testis in congenital absence of testis. J Urol. 2012 Feb;187(2): 676–680. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2011.10.021. Epub 2011 Dec 16.
2010
Ashley RA, Barthold JS, Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Urol Clin North Am. 2010 May;37(2):183-93.
Books
2010
Kolon TF. Editor, Urologic Clinics of North America: Pediatric Urology. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science, 37:2, May, 2010.
2004
Canning DA, Kolon TF. Editors, Urologic Clinics of North America: Pediatric Urology for the General Urologist. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science, 31:3, Aug, 2004.
Chapters
2022
Van Batavia, J.P., Kolon, T.F. (2022). Differences in Sex Development. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_106
Long, C.J., Kolon, T.F. (2022). Testicular Tumors. In: Mattei, P. (eds) Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07524-7_119
2016
Kolon TF and Canning DA. Evaluation of the Pediatric Urology Patient. In McDougal WS, Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA (eds.): Campbell-Walsh Urology Eleventh Edition Review. Elsevier Saunders, 125:485-487, 2016.
Kolon TF and Canning DA. Urologic Evaluation of the Child. In Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA (eds.): Campbell-Walsh Urology, Eleventh Edition. Elsevier Saunders, 125:2893-2908, 2016.
2014
Kolon TF, Herndon CDA, Baker LA, Baskin LS, Baxter CG, Cheng EY, Diaz M, Lee PA, Seashore CJ, Tasian GE, and Barthold JS. Evaluation and treatment of cryptorchidism: AUA Guideline, 2014.
Kolon TF. Disorders of Sex Development. In Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C (eds.): The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Seventh Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2014.
Wu HS, Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism. In Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C (eds.): The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Seventh Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2014.
Kolon TF: Disorders of sex development. In Hanno P, Guzzo T, Wein A, Malkowicz SB (eds.): Penn Clinical Manual of Urology, Second Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc., 27:775-799, 2014.
2013
Kraft KH and Kolon TF. Fertility preservation in the pediatric population: germ cell culture and transplantation. In: Fertility Preservation in the Man with Cancer. Mulhall J, Applegarth L, Oates RD, Schlegel P (eds). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 29:255-264, 2013.
2012
Kolon TF. Disorders of Sex Development. In Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C (eds.): The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Sixth Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 284-285, 2012.
Wu HS, Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism. In Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C (eds.): The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Sixth Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 240-241, 2012.
2011
Kolon TF. Disorders of sex development. In: Fundamentals of Pediatric Surgery, First Edition. New York: Springer, 89:693-700, 2011.
2009
Sumfest JM, Kolon TF, Rukstalis DB. Cryptorchidism. In: e-Medicine Textbook of Medicine and Surgery from WebMD. Updated Jan. 02, 2009.
2008
Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism. In Shukla AR, Austin PF, Herndon CDA, editors. The Kelalis-King-Belman Textbook of Clinical Pediatric Urology Study Guide, First Edition. London: Martin-Dunitz; 2008. p. 229-231.
Kolon TF. Intersex (Disorders of Sex Development). In: Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C, editors. The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Fifth Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2008. p. 456-457.
Wu HS, Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism. In: Schwartz MW, Bell Jr LM, Bingham PM, Chung EK, Friedman DF, Mulberg AE, Tanel RE, Schwartz CI, Kosmowski C, editors. The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, Fifth Edition. New York: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2008. p. 236-237.
2007
Kolon TF. Disorders of sexual development. In: Hanno P, Wein A, Malkowicz SB, editors. Penn Clinical Manual of Urology. Philadelphia: Elsevier Inc.; 2007. Ch. 25, p. 827-852.
Kolon TF. Cryptorchidism. In: The Kelalis-King-Belman Textbook of Clinical Pediatric Urology, Fifth Edition. London, England: Martin-Dunitz; 2007. Ch. 74, p. 1295-1308.