Liver Transplant
What does a Liver Transplant entail?
Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is caused by excessive consumption of alcohol and is both common and preventable. ALD presents in three different stages depending on the severity of liver inflammation. ALD presents in three different stages depending on the severity of liver injury. The three stages of ALD are alcohol-related fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and Cirrhosis.
Alcohol-related Fatty Liver
Also called alcoholic steatosis, is the earliest stage and the most common form of ALD
A liver transplant can help save your life when your liver no longer works or has a disease that can be cured with a liver transplant, such as primary liver cancer. A liver transplant involves surgical removal of your entire liver. It’s then replaced with all, or part, of a healthy donor liver.
What is the evaluation process to receive a Liver Transplant?
If your provider thinks you may be a good candidate for a liver transplant, he or she will refer you to a transplant center for evaluation.
You will have a variety of tests done by the transplant center team. They will decide whether you are a good candidate to receive a transplant. The transplant center team will include:
- A transplant surgeon
- A transplant provider specializing in treating the liver (a hepatologist)
- Transplant nurse coordinators
- A social worker
- A psychiatrist or psychologist
- A nutritionist
- A financial counselor
Psychological and social evaluation
Many different issues are assessed. They include stress, financial concerns, and whether you will have support from family or friends after your surgery.
Blood tests
These tests are done to help find a good donor match and assess your priority on the waiting list.
Diagnostic tests
Tests may be done to check your liver and your general health. These tests may include X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans, a liver biopsy, heart and lung tests, colonoscopy, and dental exams. Women may also have a Pap test, gynecology exam, and a mammogram.
What makes a good Transplant candidate?
You may not be able to have a transplant if you:
- Have a current or chronic infection that can’t be treated
- Have metastatic cancer. This is cancer that has spread from its main location to one or more other parts of the body.
- Have severe heart or lung problems or other health problems
- Have a serious condition besides liver disease that would not get better after a transplant.
- Are not able to follow a treatment plan
- Drink too much alcohol
- Lack of social support or inability to follow the guidance of the transplant program.
How do we help prevent organ rejection?
You must take medicines for the rest of your life to keep the transplanted liver healthy. These medicines are called anti-rejection medicines (immunosuppressive medicines). They modify your immune system’s response to prevent recognition of the liver as foreign.
In most cases you will take several different anti-rejection medicines at first. The doses may change often, depending on how you respond to them.
Because anti-rejection medicines affect the immune system, people who have a transplant are at a slightly higher risk for certain infections.
The symptoms of rejection may look like other health problems. Talk with your transplant team about any concerns you have. It is important to see them and speak with them often.
Providers at AZ Liver Health are trained and experienced in evaluating and managing liver transplant patients and maintain a referral relationship with liver transplant programs in the region and nationally. Contact our liver clinic to learn more.