What is Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis?
It is the cancer of the gall bladder and the common bile duct due to inflammatory changes caused by cholestatic liver disease. Cholestatic liver disease is a disease that is produced due to decreased or blocked secretion of bile from the liver.What is a Gall Bladder?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located below the liver on the right side of the abdomen. It stores a digestive fluid called bile fluid, which is secreted by the liver. It is a digestive fluid that helps break down fats, thereby facilitating the digestion process.Disease Causes
There is no known reason. A certain genetic mutation, along with an immune response to any toxin or infection, is the most likely cause of this. It has also been linked to ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- It is a rare disease and symptoms develop slowly
- Mild pain in the abdomen in the upper right portion
- Abdominal bloating
- Jaundice (yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes)
- Body itching
- Weak and brittle bones
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Feeling tired
Diagnosis
The following laboratory investigations and procedures are required to make the diagnosis.- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood coagulation profile
- BUN ( blood urea and nitrogen)
- Serum creatinine
- Liver function tests LFT’s
- Amylase and lipase values
- Imaging techniques like CT scan, MRI, PET scan, X-Ray, and USG to detect the site and size of the tumour.
- Serum bilirubin total, serum bilirubin conjugated and unconjugated
- Tumour biopsy
Treatment
Liver transplantation is the only treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma. Life expectancy without treatment is 9-18 years.What Support can we Give for Primary Sclerosing Cholangiocarcinoma?
Primary Sclerosing Cholangiocarcinoma is rare cancer, meaning it is not as well known as other forms of cancer. Without a Ribbon is an Australian organisation that provides support for individuals who suffer from rare cancers. So, we provide a designated platform for Warriors to obtain information specific to their Rare Cancer. We also provide annual opportunities for our Warriors to meet and learn from each other. If you suffer from rare cancer such as Primary Sclerosing Cholangiocarcinoma, we can help and support you through your journey thanks to the generous donations we receive. Click the link below to sign up and become a Warrior today!You can help us with your donation:
Without a Ribbon is a charity that works hard to aid those who suffer from rare cancers. You can help our cause in a variety of ways:Donations — Without a Ribbon is grateful when we receive every donation. Giving to Without a Ribbon helps us to provide ongoing support, organise the annual gathering and subsidise the costs of our Warriors attending these conferences.
Sponsorship — If you wish to sponsor our charity, please contact us using this form.
Volunteering — We are always looking for volunteers to help with different aspects of running our charity. So, if you are looking for volunteer work, please feel free to contact us.
