Kidney Transplant Program
The Kidney Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Transplant Center has been offering comprehensive evaluation and care for patients with chronic renal failure, including end-stage renal disease, since 1963.
- Phone: 877-644-2860
Our ApproachThe Kidney Transplant Program draws on state-of-the-art technology and leading-edge medical and surgical interventions to provide patients with individualized, ongoing care for chronic kidney disease.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Kidney Disease Care
Every Transplant Center patient has a personal care team composed of kidney disease specialists and includes:- Transplant nephrologists (kidney specialists)
- Kidney transplant surgeons
- Infectious disease specialists
- Psychiatrists
- Nurse coordinators
- Immunologists
- Pharmacists
- Social workers
- Financial services representatives
The care team meets regularly and works with patients and referring physicians to optimize patients’ well-being, providing the best possible care and outcomes.
Advanced Kidney Transplant Evaluation
All patients are carefully evaluated to see if they are good candidates for transplant. Both inpatient and outpatient kidney transplant candidates work with a transplant coordinator, who lays the groundwork for their initial evaluation by gathering:- Medical information
- Previous test results
- Patient medical history, including prior hospitalizations
- Comprehensive patient education sessions
- Blood work
- EKG
- Radiological tests
- Heart exercise tests
- Social worker’s appraisal
The Kidney Transplant Waiting List
Kidney transplant patients are placed on the national United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) list, which manages the distribution of organs nationwide. In New England, the regional waiting list is managed by the New England Organ Bank.
We also participate in the paired donor exchange program for the New England Program for Kidney Exchange.
We have an active living donor transplant program that matches transplant patients with related, unrelated or ABO incompatible living donors. We also have a successful desensitization program for patients with a positive crossmatch to their living donors.
Kidney Dialysis Access Program
Patients with complex end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can receive their care and treatment through our Dialysis Access Program. This program allows patients to consider many options of chronic dialysis care, including:
- Fistulas
- Grafts
- Peritoneal dialysis catheters
To make an appointment, refer a patient or for urgent clinical matters, please call the Kidney Dialysis Access Hotline at 877-MGH-ACCESS (877-644-2223).
24/7 Access for Patients
After patients are discharged, our nursing and medical teams closely monitor their status. Patients can speak with a transplant nurse about a variety of topics, including:- Medications
- Diet
- Activity
- General health concerns
Patients can also receive help arranging for stays at intermediate care facilities, or the implementation of home services, following discharge.
About This Program
A pioneer in organ transplant since 1963, the Kidney Transplant Program performs some of the highest volumes of kidney transplants in the region.
Facing the challenges of lifelong immunosuppressive medications, our work in tolerance induction in kidney transplantation is now allowing these patients to live drug-free after their transplantations. Read a news article about this procedure
Hope for Patients Requiring the Most Complex Transplants
Our Transplant Center is a destination for any patient requiring transplantation, including multiple organ transplants and advanced care options. This includes new and unique options for patients who have end-stage renal disease from diabetes through whole organ pancreas transplantation or islet cell transplantation.
Leadership in Research & Education
Our robust research programs provide patients with access to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials. As a result, our research laboratories attract fellows from around the world.
We also have an International Transplant Observership through the Office of Visitor Education to facilitate knowledge sharing and expertise with transplant clinicians around the world.
Our groundbreaking work in the area of tolerance induction for kidney transplant patients has included the following advancements:- New England’s first successful clinical trial of tolerance induction for renal allografts in patients with multiple myeloma in 1998
- First ITN-sponsored clinical tolerance trials for adults in 2001 and 2002
- World’s first successful tolerance induction in mismatched renal recipients in 2008
- New England's first successful laparoscopic donor nephrectomy in 1998
Our patients also benefit from the work we have done to pioneer new approaches in the area of acute antibody-mediated rejection.
Clinical Trials
Current clinical trials include research into additional applications for tolerance induction in kidney recipients. Highly sensitized patients may also participate in clinical trials to create desensitization. ABO-incompatible patients have access to a protocol attempting to create compatibility, making them candidates for transplantation. Browse online for open trials
A Dedicated Referral Line for Physicians and Patients
We provide patients and referring physicians with an experienced access coordinator, a clinician who helps assess patient needs, coordinate appointments and begin the appropriate testing regimen. Contact the Kidney Transplant Center’s access coordinator
Calls will be returned within 24 hours.
Conditions and Diseases
The links below provide more information about conditions and diseases that might be treated within this program.
Analgesic Nephropathy
An analgesic is any medicine intended to alleviate pain. Some conditions make taking these common painkillers dangerous for the kidneys. Analgesic nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease that gradually leads to end-stage renal disease and the need for permanent dialysis or a kidney transplant to restore renal function.
Diabetic Nephropathy (Kidney Disease)
Nephropathy is the deterioration of the kidneys. The final stage of nephropathy is called end-stage renal disease, or ESRD.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Renal failure refers to temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys that results in loss of normal kidney function.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is a type of glomerular kidney disease in which the kidneys' filters become inflamed and scarred, and slowly lose their ability to remove wastes and excess fluid from the blood to make urine.
Glomerulosclerosis
Glomerulosclerosis is the term used to describe scarring that occurs within the kidneys in the small balls of tiny blood vessels called the glomeruli.
Goodpasture Syndrome
Goodpasture syndrome is a rare, autoimmune disease that can affect the lungs and kidneys.
Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine.
Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare condition that mostly affects children under the age of 10. It is often characterized by damage to the lining of blood vessel walls, destruction of red blood cells, and kidney failure.
Hypoparathyroidism
Underactive parathyroid glands do not produce enough parathyroid hormones. This causes low levels of calcium in the blood.
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy
IgA nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease that may progress over a period of 10 to 20 years, and can lead to end-stage renal disease.
Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition often characterized by the following: very high levels of protein in the urine, low levels of protein in the blood, swelling, especially around the eyes, feet, and hands, as well as high cholesterol.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of numerous cysts filled with fluid in the kidneys.
Renal Vascular Disease
Renal vascular disease is the name given to a variety of complications that affect the arteries and veins of the kidneys.
Support and Wellness
Mass General is dedicated to ensuring that people understand their health care choices and have the necessary information to make decisions affecting their health and well being. The related support and wellness information listed below can play a role in treatment options.
A Patient Guide to Transplantation
Read the Transplant Center's award-winning patient education guide, Transplantation: What Do I Need to Know?
The following related clinical trials and research studies are currently seeking participants at Massachusetts General Hospital. Search for clinical trials and studies in another area of interest.
Kidney Transplant Program
55 Fruit StreetBoston, MA 02114
Phone: 877-644-2860
Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes
Make an appointment at the Transplant Center 
Contact the Transplant Center to schedule an appointment with one of our transplant specialists
