Porphyria

Treatment

Patients diagnosed with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) are screened for other diseases. They may be treated with phlebotomy (blood collection) to reduce body iron stores and/or receive other treatments to decrease photosensitivity of the skin. Specialists advise PCT patients to wear protective clothing and use sunscreen at all times to reduce skin damage. PCT affects about 80 percent of patients with porphyria. It is the most common non-acute porphyria and by far the most common porphyria.

Although acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is the most common acute porphyria, it is still quite rare. It usually affects women between 20 and 40 years old and men between 30 and 50. Because patients with an acute attack of AIP can rapidly develop a life-threatening illness, physicians often recommend hospitalization. While being monitored in the intensive care unit, patients may be treated with intravenous fluids, a high-carbohydrate diet, and medications that suppress porphyrin production.

Mayo Clinic participates in clinical trials studying rare pediatric forms of porphyria, which can involve bone marrow transplantation. Gene therapy research for the complex of porphyria disorders is also underway.