Polycystic Kidney Disease

Treatment

Currently, there is no known treatment for PKD. The objectives of treatment are to better control symptoms, prevent complications, preserve quality of life, and prolong survival. Medications can be used to control pain, reduce blood pressure and treat urinary tract infections. When PKD causes kidneys to fail, the patient requires dialysis or kidney transplantation

Surgical removal of cysts reduces pain, but it does not alter the course of PKD and cannot stop cysts from developing. Surgery is performed with a laparacsope through a small incision in the abdomen.