How Does Polycystic Kidney Disease Develop into Kidney Failure?

Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic kidney disease which is characterized by numerous cysts growing on the surface or inside the kidneys.

How Does Polycystic Kidney Disease Develop into Kidney Failure?

The kidneys filter wastes and extra fluid from the blood and form urine. They also regulate amounts of certain vital substances in the body. When cysts form in the kidneys, they are filled with fluid. PKD cysts can profoundly enlarge the kidneys while replacing much of the normal structure.

Over time, the cysts increase both in number and in size, putting pressure on the kidneys and leading to kidney damage. In this process, external abdominal mass gets obvious and kidney function deteriorates progressively, which, if not controlled timely, will result in reduced kidney function and lead to kidney failure.

PKD Stage

In fact, the duration from early stage Polycystic Kidney Disease to end-stage Renal Failure differs in different persons. Normally, the development of PKD is divided into 5 stages, from emergence of cysts to end stage of kidney disease.
Stage 1: Cysts-emerging Stage. In this stage, you may not find the cysts because they are too small. Normally, there is a great chance to develop into this stage before your 30s.

Stage 2: Cysts-growing Stage. In this stage, cysts enlarge aggressively both in number and in size. During the age of 30~40, your PKD develops quickly and many complications, especially, high blood pressure appears. If you are in this stage, you are recommended to take early treatment to avoid further progression.

Stage 3: Cysts-enlargement Stage. After 40 years old, renal cysts makes a further enlargement. When cysts are larger than 4cm, they are at risk to get rupture and more symptoms appear over time, such as back pain, protein in urine, blood in urine, elevated blood pressure etc.

Stage 4: Cysts-rupture Stage. With cysts enlarging, they may rupture at any time at this stage. Once it happens, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible for it may lead you to emergency. Many patients develop into renal failure at this period.

Stage 5: End stage of PKD. If you fail to control your cysts well in the mentioned 4 stages, you will enter the end stage of PKD. In this stage, your doctor may recommend you with dialysis or kidney transplant.

A good nursing in daily life and timely treatment can all affect the duration from the first cyst emergence to renal failure. If you are in the early stage of the disease, right treatment and lifestyle chance help prevent it developing into renal failure. Even you are in the renal failure stage, you should never lose the confidence to fight against the disease. With the development of new medical technique and research, there develops more and more therapies to helps control the disease and lead a full life.


We are one of the largest kidney disease hospital in the world, which studies and researches kidney disease only for more than 25 years. No matter which stage of PKD you are in, we offer different treatment plants to help you.