Osmosis video - Primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disease of the bile ducts that causes inflammation and obliterative fibrosis of bile ducts inside and/or outside of the liver. This results in scarring of the biliary tree, which impedes the flow of bile to the intestines and can ultimately lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. Symptoms of PSC can include fatigue, itching, jaundice, abdominal pain, and weight loss. If left untreated, PSC can lead to liver failure. Definitive treatment is liver transplant, but ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA help to slow disease progression and alleviate symptoms.