Liver transplant is increasingly being recognised as the best treatment for many diseases arising in the liver, as well as for some diseases that affect the whole body.
Some common conditions for which a liver transplant is recommended include:
1) Various cancers such as:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Metastatic neuroendocrine tumours
2) Various causes of cirrhosis (liver hardening and loss of function) such as:
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
- Alcoholic liver disease
3) Biliary diseases such as:
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Secondary biliary cirrhosis
- Sclerosing cholangitis
4) Primary metabolic diseases such as:
- Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency
- Wilson’s disease
- Polycystic disease
- Familial amyloidosis
The general guide on the age limit for the patient in consideration for a liver transplant is 70 years old.
However, if the patient is otherwise healthy other than the liver condition that can be treated with a liver transplant, he or she may still be suitable.
