Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Overview

Primary biliary cirrhosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks its own cells and slowly destroys the liver. The cells that are attacked are those that line the digestive fluid (bile) ducts of your liver. Sometimes these ducts become irritated (inflamed). As the inflammation spreads, primary biliary cirrhosis destroys the bile ducts, which can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Experience. Mayo Clinic is one of the leading treatment centers for primary biliary cirrhosis in the United States. You benefit from the experience of primary biliary cirrhosis specialists who treat hundreds of people each year.
• Research advances. You have access to the latest diagnosis and treatment advances at Mayo Clinic, which has been conducting research on primary biliary cirrhosis for more than 40 years. Mayo Clinic researchers have studied many treatments for primary biliary cirrhosis and have made significant contributions to understanding its cause, including finding two gene variations that seem to predispose people to primary biliary cirrhosis. This discovery is the first step toward developing targeted treatments and a cure.
• Excellence in liver transplants. Mayo Clinic has performed more than 4,500 liver transplants and has some of the highest transplant survival rates in the world. People with primary biliary cirrhosis who receive transplants have particularly high survival rates.
• Team approach. Liver specialists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons work together as a team to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for people with primary biliary cirrhosis.

Read more about primary biliary cirrhosis at MayoClinic.com.