Learn about the common symptoms of PSC and the way it affects the liver.

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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