Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
- 1. What is PSC? Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- 2. What is primary sclerosing cholangitis? Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, or long-term, disease that slowly damages the bile ducts. This can lead to end stage liver disease and cancer.
- 3. How does PSC affect the liver? • Gradual damage to liver cells • Cirrhosis or fibrosis of the liver develops • Liver slowly loses its ability to function. • Infection of the bile
- 4. PSC Advances Very Slowly • Many patients may have the disease for years before symptoms develop • Liver failure may occur 10- 15+ years after diagnosis • Most PSC patients will need a liver transplant • PSC may also lead to bile duct cancer
- 5. What are the symptoms of PSC? Many people with PSC do not get symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. These symptoms may come and go, but they may worsen over time: • Fatigue • Pruritus (Itching of the skin) • Jaundice, yellowing of the skin and eyes • Fever and chills • Abdominal pain
- 6. What causes PSC? The cause of PSC is unknown. Research suggests that about 70% of patients are men. PSC may be related to bacterial or viral infections and genetic factors may also play a role. It is also associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Who is at risk for PSC? PSC is slightly more common in men than women. It usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 60.
- 7. PSC Diagnosis & Treatment How is PSC diagnosed? PSC is often discovered through abnormal results on routine liver blood tests. Formal diagnosis is usually made by cholangiography, an X-ray test involving the injection of dye into the bile ducts, or by a MRI. How is PSC treated? There is no cure or specific treatment for PSC. The itching associated with the disease can be relieved with medication, and antibiotics are used to treat bile duct infections when they occur. In some cases, bile duct surgery or endoscopy may be useful to temporarily improve bile flow.
- 8. When is a liver transplant necessary? If liver failure becomes severe, a liver transplant may be necessary. The outcome for patients with PSC who have undergone transplantation is excellent. The survival rate for two or more years is about 80 percent, with a good quality of life after recovery.
- 9. Will there be a cure for PSC? • Doctors are able to diagnose it very early • Treatment can begin before the liver is severely damaged • Scientists continue to study the disease to find the cause and understand its development • Drug therapy trials are exploring the potential use of several additional medications for PSC
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