---
title: "Kidney Transplant"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/k/kidney-transplant/
description: "A kidney transplant is one of the most common organ transplant surgeries performed today. In this surgery, kidneys that aren't working well are replaced..."
---

# Kidney Transplant

A kidney transplant is one of the most common organ transplant surgeries performed today. In this surgery, kidneys that aren't working well are replaced by a kidney from a donor. Kidney transplants have been performed since the 1950s. This surgery is a lifesaving choice for thousands of patients with endstage kidney disease (kidney renal failure). If you have kidney failure and cannot have a transplant, dialysis can sustain life. Dialysis cleans the blood by removing waste products such as urea.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

All of these can be harmful, even deadly, to the heart, brain and skeleton.

The kidneys are fist-size organs that handle the body's fluid and chemical levels. They are found on both sides of the spine behind the liver, stomach, pancreas and bowels. Healthy kidneys clean waste from the blood and make urine. They keep elements in the blood (sodium, potassium and calcium) in balance. Kidneys also make hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cells.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- What Happens When Kidneys Fail?
- How Do the Kidneys Work?
- Symptoms
- Causes
- Treatment
- Dialysis
- Kidney Transplant
- What to Expect
- If You are the Donor:
- If You are Receiving the Donor Kidney:

## Other entries in Kidney Cancer and Stones

- [Adrenal Gland Cancers](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/adrenal-gland-cancers/)
- [Adrenal Mass](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/adrenal-mass/)
- [Antegrade Pyelography](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/antegrade-pyelography/)
- [Conn's Syndrome](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/conns-syndrome/)
- [Cushing's Syndrome](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cushings-syndrome/)
- [Ectopic Kidney](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/e/ectopic-kidney/)
- [Ectopic Ureter](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/e/ectopic-ureter/)
- [Extrinsic Obstruction of the Ureter](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/e/extrinsic-obstruction-of-the-ureter/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/k/kidney-transplant/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Kidney Cancer and Stones**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

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