Many individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience the onset of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD), characterized by the formation of fluid-filled sacs known as renal cysts. ACKD can manifest in both children and adults, particularly in those undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. While kidney failure, rather than dialysis itself, initiates cyst formation, the likelihood of developing ACKD rises with the duration of dialysis treatment.
- Approximately 20 percent of individuals initiating dialysis already present with ACKD, a figure that escalates with prolonged dialysis therapy:
- Roughly 60 to 80 percent of individuals on dialysis for 4 years develop ACKD.
- Approximately 90 percent of individuals on dialysis for 8 years develop ACKD.
Treatment for ACKD
In many instances, cysts associated with acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) pose no threat and necessitate no intervention. However, complications can arise, such as cyst infection, marked by symptoms like fever and back pain. Additionally, cysts may occasionally hemorrhage, leading to the presence of blood in the urine, a condition that warrants immediate medical attention.
While the precise prevalence is subject to medical discourse, approximately 10 to 20 percent of individuals with ACKD develop kidney tumors, some of which may be malignant. Though the incidence of kidney cancer among those with ACKD remains relatively low, it surpasses the occurrence rate in the general populace.
