What Are Treatment Options for Kidney Failure?
There are several options available, and no particular choice is consistently superior to the other choices for all patients, all the time. The choice for each individual depends on the specific circumstances relating to the patient, the environment of the clinical practice (what is easily available in the area, and what can be readily monitored), and the “know-how” of the treating physician(s)/care-giver(s). The three main options are: dialysis (either through the blood-stream, referred to as hemodialysis; or through the abdomen, referred to as peritoneal dialysis), transplantation (the placement of another kidney into the patient, either from a relative, referred to as “living related” donation, or from a dead person, referred to as “cadaveric” donation) or death (in some cases, kidney treatment may not influence the ultimate outcome for the patient, such as in those with terminal diseases, including metastatic cancer; or where kidney treatment may not make any meaningful difference
