What is the difference between primary sclerosing cholangitis and PBC?

[Lisacj]

They sound very similar , Elena Baltacha UK tennis player has it? I have just read that sadly she now has liver cancer. having quickly googled cant see the difference.

[witchiegirl]

I heard that news too, about Elena B. It's very sad. I hope the diagnosis will be early enough that she'll get a complete cure for the tumour. I've always been in wonder that she could have a high level sporting career with PSC. I always assumed, slightly cynically, that having 'people' around her to help with all the stuff of life must have made a huge difference to her energy levels.

My understanding is that PSC involves more inflammation than PBC (which involves the 'collapse'/disappearance of the bile ducts rather than inflammation). PSC is also - I think - more widespread. The end result, if it progresses, is similar of course - liver failure, the need for transplant, higher risk of certain cancers, etc.I understand the risk of cancer is higher in PSC. Also a higher proportion of people with PSC are men, which is the opposite to PBC and quite unusual in AI disease generally. And there is a stronger link with inflammatory bowel disease esp colitis. Although PSC is also usually a slow disease to progress, as is PBC, I think it does tend to progress more inevitably. It does sound like Elena Baltacha has been very unlucky though.

[Hidden]

I have PBC which attacks the small bile ducts in the liver, however my brother has PSC which attacks the large ducts into the liver, the effects are similar- liver damage, fatigue,, jaundice and so on. My brother had a transplant due to complete liver failure 5 years ago... He still has PSC. Urso is also used for those with PSC, but it effects more men than PBC and it usually occurs at a younger age.

It is often linked with IBS as witchiegirl says.

The biopsy on my brothers very knackered liver showed a very small tumour, he was 46 at transplant.

I had read EB had liver cancer but not that she had PSC, as with all of us I wish her well and hope she gets the right treatment.

Lou