Kidney Conditions and Treatment
Find the help you need for kidney conditions such as infections, blockages and tumors. Our urology specialists have expertise in the early identification and treatment of a wide range of kidney conditions.
What Are the Kidneys?
The kidneys are the organs inside your body that produce urine. They are located on either side of the spine and are roughly the size and shape of a fist.
What Do the Kidneys Do?
Healthy kidneys efficiently turn extra, unneeded fluid in the body into urine. If the kidneys aren't working as they should, you may experience several symptoms, such as masses, pain or infections.
Kidney Conditions We Treat
We treat:
- Hydronephrosis
- Kidney blockages
- Kidney cysts
- Kidney infections
- Kidney tumors
- Kidney stone disease
- Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction
Diagnosis
To diagnose kidney disorders and conditions, we ask you about your medical history and run several diagnostic tests, including:
Blood Tests |
Urine Tests |
Imaging Tests |
Biopsy |
|---|---|---|---|
|
These tests help determine how well your kidneys are functioning based on levels of certain proteins and hormones. |
We use this test to discover if there are underlying infections or bacteria inside the bladder or urine. |
Scans show our team what is happening in your kidneys, including problem areas and blockages. |
During this minimally invasive procedure, we collect and analyze a sample of kidney tissue. |
Treatment
We customize kidney treatment based on your condition and preferences. From minimally invasive procedures to kidney removal and follow up, our specialists help you navigate the pathway to recovery. We have special expertise in kidney stone disease. Learn more about advanced diagnosis and treatment for kidney stone disease.
We are one of the few centers in the world that performs live-donor kidney transplant surgery (laparoscopic live-donor nephrectomy). Our team is dedicated to helping both the transplant recipient and the donor experience a successful surgery and recovery.
Kidney cysts may be painful and may even result in high blood pressure. Our minimally invasive treatments provide several options to help relieve your symptoms with less pain and faster recovery after surgery.
Renal tumor ablation is not surgery. During this image-guided procedure, we place a needle through the skin into the kidney tumor. We then add a heated solution through the needle that destroys the kidney cancer cells. Renal tumor ablation may be the best treatment for patients who have tried conservative treatment options without success.
Kidney removal surgery is an effective way to remove tumors or cancer, but we reserve it as a last option. In some cases, we may need to remove the entire kidney. In other cases, we perform organ-preserving treatment—where the goal is to save as much of the kidney as possible.
We offer three options to remove the kidney. Your care team advises you on which treatment path is right for you based on your needs. Surgeries we perform:
- Laparoscopic nephrectomy: During this minimally invasive procedure, we make a few small incisions on your stomach to insert thin, flexible scopes. The scopes have surgical tools and a small camera. We may make a slightly larger opening if we need to remove an entire kidney.
- Open nephrectomy: Our surgeons make one long incision on the side of the abdomen to access and remove the kidney.
- Robotic nephrectomy: This surgery is also a minimally invasive procedure. Surgeons operate robotic tools to remove the kidney. These robotic instruments have a high degree of dexterity and range of motion and can make very fine and complex movements. Robotic surgery can improve how well we see the area, leading to a more precise, effective surgery.
Have Questions or Need Help?
To make an appointment or refer a patient, call the Department of Urology team. You can also have us call you back at your convenience.