Clinical Interest for Patients

Dr. Janet Kukreja is a urologic oncologist and nationally recognized bladder cancer expert specializing in the treatment of non-muscle-invasive, BCG-unresponsive, muscle-invasive, recurrent, and complex bladder cancer. Her clinical and research focus includes robotic radical cystectomy, bladder preservation, urinary diversion and neobladder reconstruction, novel bladder cancer therapies, and clinical trials. She welcomes patients seeking bladder cancer second opinions from across the United States and works within a multidisciplinary team to provide individualized treatment options across all stages of bladder cancer. Dr. Kukreja is a high-volume robotic cystectomy surgeon, having performed more than 800 robotic radical cystectomies and 300 robotic neobladders, and currently performs approximately 150 robot-assisted radical cystectomies annually. She specializes in intracorporeal urinary diversion and offers the full spectrum of urinary reconstruction after bladder removal, including orthotopic neobladder, ileal conduit, and Indiana pouch (continent cutaneous urinary diversion). When appropriate, neobladder and ileal conduit reconstruction are performed robotically inside the body. She works closely with each patient to select the urinary diversion that best balances cancer treatment, urinary function, quality of life, and individual goals. Dr. Kukreja also has a special clinical and research interest in perioperative optimization, enhanced recovery, reducing surgical complications, and improving quality of life after major urologic cancer surgery. In addition to bladder cancer surgery, she performs complex robotic and minimally invasive urologic oncology procedures, including radical prostatectomy, radical and partial nephrectomy/nephron-sparing surgery, adrenalectomy, nephroureterectomy and partial ureterectomy, and inguinal lymph node dissection.

Care Philosophy

We welcome patients seeking bladder cancer care and second opinions from Colorado and across the country. Bladder Cancer Second Opinions: 720-848-0170 Referrals Fax: 720-848-0180 Dr. Janet Kukreja is the Director of Urologic Oncology and a bladder cancer surgeon specializing in complex bladder cancer care, robotic radical cystectomy, neobladder reconstruction, and urinary diversion. She believes every patient deserves an individualized treatment plan developed through shared decision-making and a multidisciplinary approach. Her goal is to combine advanced surgical techniques with the latest bladder cancer treatments and clinical evidence while recognizing each patient's individual goals, priorities, and quality of life. High-Volume Robotic Cystectomy and Neobladder Experience Dr. Kukreja is a high-volume robotic bladder cancer and cystectomy surgeon who has performed more than 1,500 robotic surgeries, including more than 800 robotic radical cystectomies and 300 robotic neobladders. She currently performs approximately 150 robot-assisted radical cystectomies each year. For patients requiring bladder removal, Dr. Kukreja specializes in robotic radical cystectomy with intracorporeal urinary diversion, meaning the urinary reconstruction—including ileal conduit or neobladder—is performed entirely inside the body using the robotic approach, without requiring a larger incision to construct the diversion. Dr. Kukreja believes that experience matters in complex cancer surgery. Her practice is focused on providing patients with bladder cancer access to high-volume surgical expertise while helping each patient understand their options for bladder cancer treatment, radical cystectomy, neobladder, urinary diversion, and bladder preservation. She welcomes patients seeking bladder cancer second opinions, including those traveling from outside Colorado. Why Patients Seek a Bladder Cancer Second Opinion with Dr. Kukreja Patients from Colorado and across the United States seek consultation with Dr. Kukreja for newly diagnosed, recurrent, and complex bladder cancer, as well as for a second opinion before making major treatment decisions. Her approach combines high-volume surgical experience with expertise across the evolving spectrum of bladder cancer treatment. Patients may seek a second opinion with Dr. Kukreja for: -High-volume robotic radical cystectomy expertise, with more than 800 robotic cystectomies performed and approximately 150 performed annually. -Extensive neobladder and urinary diversion experience, including more than 300 robotic neobladders and intracorporeal urinary diversion. -Bladder-preserving treatment options for appropriately selected patients who may have alternatives to bladder removal. -Non-muscle-invasive and BCG-unresponsive bladder cancer, including newer bladder-preserving therapies and determining when radical cystectomy is appropriate. -Muscle-invasive and complex bladder cancer, including multidisciplinary evaluation and individualized treatment planning. -Access to bladder cancer clinical trials. Our program offers numerous clinical trials across the spectrum of bladder cancer, including non-muscle-invasive, BCG-unresponsive, muscle-invasive, and advanced bladder cancer, providing patients access to emerging treatments and novel approaches when appropriate. -Urinary diversion decision-making, helping patients understand the advantages, disadvantages, and quality-of-life considerations of neobladder and ileal conduit reconstruction. -National bladder cancer second opinions, including evaluation of patients who travel to Colorado for specialized bladder cancer care. The goal of a second opinion is not simply to recommend a procedure, but to ensure that each patient understands the full range of appropriate options—including surgery, bladder preservation, systemic therapy, clinical trials, and emerging treatments—and can make a treatment decision that balances cancer control, surgical outcomes, quality of life, and personal priorities.

Specialties

• Urology ( 2020 , 2020 )
• Urologic Oncology

Conditions & Treatments

• Cancers

  Bladder Cancer, Cancer Surgery, Chemotherapy, Kidney Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Urologic Cancer

• Kidneys and Urinary System

  Bladder Disease

• Failed Prior Surgery

• Surgery

  Robotic, Urologic