Treatment Options for Polycystic Kidney Disease

Goals of Treatment for Polycystic Kidney Disease

Treatment for the patient with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) may involve several different health care professionals, including:

• Nephrologist - for management of kidneys and complications
• Radiologist - for management in certain surgical procedures (e.g., those performed under ultrasound guidance)
• General surgeon - for management of surgery
• Cardiologist - for management of cardiovascular complications (e.g. mitral valve prolapse)
• Neurosurgeon - for management of brain aneurysms Currently there is no cure for PKD. The goals of treatment include:

Goals of treatment for the patient with polycystic kidney disease include:

• Managing and controlling symptoms through medication and/or surgery
• Treating end-stage renal disease (ESRD) by performing renal functions that kidneys can no longer carry out through dialysis
• Prolonging survival through kidney transplantation