Kidney care in Denver

At HealthONE's family of hospitals, our specially trained nephrologists provide unparalleled care for your kidneys. From diagnosis through treatment and follow-up, our teams help you address your kidney issues quickly and safely. We specialize in kidney transplantation, administration of dialysis and advanced surgical procedures.

To learn more about HealthONE's kidney care services, call (303) 575-0055.

What is a kidney doctor?

The kidneys play an essential role in your body. They contribute to cardiac health (controlling blood pressure), orthopedic functionality (maintaining bones), removing bodily waste and establishing chemical balance. Kidney specialists and doctors offer comprehensive care for these organs, including the prevention and treatment of kidney (renal) disease and cancer.

Nephrologists and nephrology surgeons

Nephrology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the kidneys. A nephrologist is a physician who specializes in kidney care and treating diseases of the kidney.

At HealthONE, our nephrology teams focus on patient care and a commitment to staying on the forefront of technology. Our experienced nephrology surgeons help return diseased and damaged kidneys to a healthier state, leading to better outcomes for our patients.

What kidney diseases do you treat?

Our team can help diagnose and treat all renal problems, including:

Kidney cancer

An estimated 73,000 people will be diagnosed with kidney cancer each year. The majority of kidney cancers are renal cell carcinomas, which usually grow as a single tumor in the kidney. We provide complete diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitative services for kidney cancer through our partnership with Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.

Kidney disease

According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 26 million Americans—one in nine adults—have kidney disease. Kidneys can become damaged after an acute infection or a traumatic injury. They may also be diseased as an accumulating effect of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Most types of kidney disease are irreversible, but lowering the burden on the kidneys can slow further deterioration. Lifestyle changes and regular medical care are important steps. Keeping yourself in the best overall health will also help keep your kidneys functioning properly.

How do you treat kidney conditions?

Our physicians go beyond standard care for kidney health. They are trained to perform many treatments, including minimally invasive procedures, such as:

  • Endourologic procedures for kidney stone disease—using special equipment, stones are removed via natural entry points to the kidney
  • Cryosurgery for kidney masses—an alternative to surgical tumor removal, small probes are used to freeze and kill abnormal cells
  • Kidney transplantation—replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy one from a donor
  • Nephrectomy—removal of all or part of the kidney

Dialysis for kidney failure

In patients with kidney failure, the kidneys become unable to effectively remove toxins, excess fluid and electrolytes such as potassium. As a result, build up forms in the bloodstream, causing more severe issues. Dialysis is a process where toxic substances or excess fluids are removed from the body. We offer both types of dialysis: hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Nephrology surgery

Nephrectomy is a surgical procedure in which all (radical nephrectomy) or part (partial nephrectomy) of the kidney is removed. Most patients undergo a nephrectomy to treat kidney cancer or kidney failure, but it may also be necessary to treat a birth defect, injury or infection.

Our surgeons perform:

  • Nephrectomy (removal of the kidney)
  • Partial nephrectomy (removal of part of the kidney)
  • Pyeloplasty (surgery to repair the kidney)

Robotic kidney surgery

Our kidney specialists use two types of advanced technology while performing kidney surgery:

  • Robotic surgery lets your surgeon control a robotic system to perform the procedure, allowing more precise, delicate movements than the human hand could do on its own.
  • Fluorescence technology uses an injectable dye during robotic kidney surgery. The dye "lights up" when using a special camera. This enables the surgeon to better see which tissue is diseased or cancerous as well as the blood flow to tumors.

These two technologies provide several benefits to our patients compared to traditional open or laparoscopic surgery, including:

  • Less damage to healthy tissue
  • Less pain
  • Less scarring
  • Quicker recovery and return to regular activity
  • Smaller incisions

Not all patients are candidates for robot-assisted surgery. To find out if you may be a candidate, talk to one of our nephrologists.