Should You Neglect Small Renal Cysts in PKD

In Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), when the cysts are small, you may not have any symptoms or discomforts at all. You just think that I am well I do not need treatment at all. However, if there are people having PKD around you, you should know the ending result of PKD. Without proper treatment, more than 50% of the patients will develop End Stage Renal Failure by age 60 and have to extend their life by dialysis or kidney transplant.
PKD is caused by abnormal gene, which means you are born with cysts on kidneys. With age, the cysts will enlarge ceaselessly and you present severe symptoms like high blood pressure, server back pain, hematuria etc. In many cases, the size of the cysts may reach up above 20 cm and even 30 cm. The enlarged cysts will fill you full abdominal cavity so you will feel a big mass on abdomen. In this case, the cysts are at high risk of rupturing, which can cause intense pain and even Acute Renal Failure.
With the cysts enlargement, they will oppress the surrounding nephrons thus resulting in renal ischemia and anoxia. The kidneys can not get sufficient blood and nutrients supply so the renal tissues will begin to die gradually. Moreover, more and more normal nephrons will be replaced with cysts. Your kidneys will fail at a quit far speed.
When the cysts are small, if you can receive proper treatment in time, the cysts will not cause renal injury. If so, you will be able to avoid developing Renal Insufficiency or even End Stage Renal Failure.
Here the experts remind all the patients with PKD that you should not neglect the early treatment of the disease. The earlier treatment you receive, the better prognosis you will get.