LIVER CANCER: IS TRANSPLANT AN OPTION?

WHAT IS LIVER CANCER?

Liver cancer is the growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the liver. Cancer that starts in the liver is called primary liver cancer. Cancer that spreads to the liver from another organ is called metastatic liver cancer.

HOW CAN TRANSPLANT HELP?

Liver transplantation can be a possibility for those liver cancer patients whose tumours cannot be surgically removed. With this procedure, a liver that has been destroyed with cancer can be replaced with a healthy donor liver. However, liver transplantation is not easy as there are a very few number of liver donations.

AT WHAT STAGE CAN LIVER BE TRANSPLANTED?

• Usually there are a set of rules to decided who is the best possible candidate for successful liver transplant called Milan criteria to which doctors adhere. According to the criteria, liver needs to:
• Have only one tumour of 5 cm or less. If there are multiple tumours the largest must be 3 cm or less.
• Have a tumour that has not metastasized

However, some minor changes are being considered to these set of rules so that more number of patients have a hope of getting treated.

WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE OF TRANSPLANT IN LIVER CANCER CASES?

Studies reveal that there has been more than 60% of liver cancer patients who are living their life successfully after the transplant. However, in these patients also the success rate has been due to the fact that liver cancer was diagnosed at a very early stage.

Over the years, doctors have been getting better at identifying which patients with liver cancer would likely do well after transplantation. So, by choosing patients with better odds, their overall success rates are climbing.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LIVER TRANSPLATATION?

Like any other organ transplantation surgery, liver transplantation also has many risks, which include:

• Rejection of the liver by host body’s immune system
• Infection
• Liver cancer returning
• Reactions to the medications needed after the transplantation
• Increased bleeding, difficulty clotting
• Reaction to anaesthesia during surgery

HOW TO SURVIVE WITH NEW LIVER?

Living with a donor liver is not difficult. There are a few precautions you may need to:

• Regularly take anti-rejection medications to keep your body from rejecting your liver
• Monitor your health closely for any signs of rejection or return of liver cancer
• Go for regular check-up, as decreased immunity can make you susceptible to many severe life threatening infections

WHY KIMS?

KIMS, one of the best liver transplant hospitals in Hyderabad, India, has been giving individuals in need of liver transplants a new lease on life. With the best liver transplant surgeon in Hyderabad, the KIMS team provides the best care possible before, during and after the transplant surgery. We, perhaps, are the best liver transplant specialist hospital in Hyderabad that can take care of patients with liver cancer who desperately need transplant to get a new lease of life.