Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis And How It Affects Your Liver

4. Complications

Complications of primary sclerosing cholangitis may eventually lead to liver failure or liver disease, frequent viral and bacterial infections, bile duct cancer, thinning bones or low bone density, and colon cancer. Primary sclerosing cholangitis may also cause portal hypertension, which occurs when the portal vein that is responsible for delivering blood from the digestive system to the liver leaks fluid from the liver into the abdominal cavity. Portal hypertension can also divert blood flow from the portal vein to others, which increases blood vessel swelling and can be life-threatening.

3. Treatment

No cure or specific treatment is currently available for primary sclerosing cholangitis; however, it is strongly advised to monitor the progress of the disease by seeking care from a medical professional. Medications are available to help cope with the itching associated with the disease and antibiotics may be needed to treat bile duct infections as they develop. Bile duct surgery or an endoscopy can be used to improve bile flow temporarily. In most cases, a liver transplant will be needed.