Chris Milligan

Human Anatomy/Physiology
3rd Period
10/06/14

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, also referred to as

PCT, is a disorder belonging to the group of
disorders known as Porphyria.
Porphyria Cutanea
Tarda is the most
common form of
Porphyria.
It is also the most
treatable form.

The root cause of PCT is a problem in the

production of heme (a component of
hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the
lungs to the rest of the body).
The production heme is carried out by 8
enzymes. A shortage of any of these enzymes
leads to an excess of the chemicals used to
make heme.
This enzyme deficiency leads to PCT.

Many types of Porphyria are inherited. PCT,

however, is usually an acquired form of
Porphyria.
Behaviors that lead to acquiring PCT include:

Drinking alcohol
Smoking
Excessive iron intake
HIV
Hepatitis C

The preferred diagnosis of PCT is through a

measurement of the Porphyrin levels in the
plasma.
Proceeding this test, is a test of porphyrin levels
in the urine and feces.
Porphyrin levels are abnormally

high in patients with PCT.

The final test is a measurement

of the levels of UROD in the red
blood cells.
UROD is present in approximately

20% of patients.

PCT exhibits several symptoms at the area of

sun exposure.
These symptoms vary with severity of the
disorder.
Symptoms are:

Blisters
Increased hair growth
Pain
Thickening of the exposed skin
Swelling of the skin
Itching

The symptoms of PCT are exhibited in areas

of the body that are exposed to sunlight.
Areas such as:
Back side of the hands
Forearms
Face

Ears
Neck

The treatment of PCT depends on the

severity of the disorder.
Treatment usually involves:
Low doses of the antimalarial drug

hydroxychloroquine or choloroquine.
Frequent phlebotomies (removal of the blood) to
decrease the amount of iron in the liver.
Avoidance of habits and behaviors that trigger the
disorder.

PCT is the most treatable form of Porphyria.

The effectiveness of treatment appears to be
equal whether the disease is inherited or
acquired.
Even in a recurrence of the disease, PCT can
be detected and treated early.
Treatment is almost always effective in PCT.
This gives PCT an excellent prognosis.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/porphyriasymptoms-causes-treatment
http://themedicalbiochemistrypage.org/hemeporphyrin.php
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/porphyriasymptoms-causes-treatment?page=2
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1103643overview
http://www.porphyriafoundation.com/aboutporphyria/types-of-porphyria/PCT