Description
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is found in 55-75% of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), while PSC develops in about 5% of patients with IBD. There are many similarities between PSC and ulcerative colitis (UC) suggesting that there may be similar mechanisms of pathogenesis. IBD does not seem to influence the course of coexisting PSC, while patients with PSC usually have mild or asymptomatic but extensive colitis. The risk of colorectal cancer may be higher in patients with IBD and PSC than with IBD alone and thorough annual
colonoscopic surveillance might be appropriate in this setting.
After liver transplantation for PSC, IBD may have an aggressive course despite immunosuppression and some studies have reported a high incidence of colorectal cancer particularly within the first 2 years.
