Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Contents of this Article

What is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?
Causes of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Who Gets Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?

Symptoms of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Complications of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Diagnosis of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Treatment For Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
More Information About Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

What is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) is a disease that damages and blocks bile ducts inside and outside the liver. Bile is a liquid made in the liver. Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile out of the liver to the gallbladder and * small intestine. In the intestine, bile helps break down fat in food.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis damages the hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts, which carry bile out of the liver.

In primary sclerosing cholangitis, inflammation of the bile ducts leads to scar formation and narrowing of the ducts over time. As scarring increases, the ducts become blocked. As a result, bile builds up in the liver and damages liver cells. Eventually, scar tissue can spread throughout the liver, causing cirrhosis and liver failure.

Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order

* Small Intestine
The small intestine is the organ where most digestion occurs. It measures about 22 feet and includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. More about Small Intestine.

References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
June 2008
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

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