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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Benign fibrous polycyctic liver disease
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Doctor's Answer
by HFHS-MD-dm, Jul 15, 1998 12:00AM
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Dear James Krone:
I appreciated your question and the opportunity to talk about polycystic liver disease. Your information and questions are a little vague but I’ll try to do the best I can.
I’m a little confused that you got this diagnosis “back from the lab” because adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) is not a laboratory diagnosis. It is typically based on a clinical evaluation with emphasis on an imaging study (CT scan) of the liver. Moreover, the diagnosis is often used incorrectly or it is used to refer to a range of different diseases that have different outcomes.
The typical or “classic” adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) is a condition where fluid filled sacs or cysts are present in the liver and kidneys. The condition is inherited and people are born with the cysts though they can slowly get bigger with time.
Usually adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) tends to be benign with a good prognosis. Certainly the fact that your patient is 73 is a good sign. In some cases, however ADPKD can involve the kidneys and cause kidney problems. Sometimes there can be complications of ADPKD that affect the liver. Among other things the cysts can become infected or rupture or get big enough to cause problems. Most of these complications can be treated.
While there is no cure, most patients with ADPKD do well and problems that arise can often be handled successfully. It’s important that you have a thoughtful physician who is aware of the some of the potential problems and can keep an eye on the patient. If you are in the Detroit area, I would invite you and the patients to see us at Henry Ford. We have a very active and experienced group of liver specialists. I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have additional information or questions, you can contact us directly at Henry Ford at (313) 556-8865.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
Dear James Krone:
I appreciated your question and the opportunity to talk about polycystic liver disease. Your information and questions are a little vague but I’ll try to do the best I can.
I’m a little confused that you got this diagnosis “back from the lab” because adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) is not a laboratory diagnosis. It is typically based on a clinical evaluation with emphasis on an imaging study (CT scan) of the liver. Moreover, the diagnosis is often used incorrectly or it is used to refer to a range of different diseases that have different outcomes.
The typical or “classic” adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) is a condition where fluid filled sacs or cysts are present in the liver and kidneys. The condition is inherited and people are born with the cysts though they can slowly get bigger with time.
Usually adult polycystic disease (ADPKD) tends to be benign with a good prognosis. Certainly the fact that your patient is 73 is a good sign. In some cases, however ADPKD can involve the kidneys and cause kidney problems. Sometimes there can be complications of ADPKD that affect the liver. Among other things the cysts can become infected or rupture or get big enough to cause problems. Most of these complications can be treated.
While there is no cure, most patients with ADPKD do well and problems that arise can often be handled successfully. It’s important that you have a thoughtful physician who is aware of the some of the potential problems and can keep an eye on the patient. If you are in the Detroit area, I would invite you and the patients to see us at Henry Ford. We have a very active and experienced group of liver specialists. I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have additional information or questions, you can contact us directly at Henry Ford at (313) 556-8865.
This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
