porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Porphyria cutanea tarda may inherited (autosomal dominant) but is commonly an acquired disorder of porphyrin metabolism.

There is a deficiency in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (chromosome 1p34) which results in:

• bullous reaction to sunlight
• hyperpigmentation and scarring
• liver disease

Porphyria cutanea tarda usually presents in middle and old age.