Location

• PKD can affect areas of the body other than the kidneys. While the kidneys are the organ most frequently affected by PKD, the disease can cause cysts to form on other organs, such as the liver.
  
  

Genetics

• PKD is caused by gene mutations, or changes in the DNA sequence of a gene that alters its function. When a person inherits the gene that causes PKD from one parent, the disease is referred to as autosomal dominant PKD. This form of PKD usually begins when a person is 30 to 40 years old. Autosomal recessive PKD occurs when a person inherits the PKD gene from both parents. This form typically presents in infancy. The term de novo (or new) PKD refers to cases of PKD in which the mutated genes are not inherited from either parent. Instead, the mutations occur in the egg or sperm cell or after fertilization. Thus, a person without a family history of PKD may still develop the disease. However, de novo PKD is rare, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Symptoms

• People with mild PKD may have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include varicose veins, hemorrhoids, high blood pressure, bloody urine, frequent urination, kidney stones, lower back pain and kidney failure.
  
  

Complications

• Complications of PKD can include hernias, heart valve abnormalities and brain aneurysms.
  
  

Treatment

• There is no cure for PKD but the symptoms can be managed in order to avoid complications and allow for a normal lifestyle.