Liver Transplant: Understanding the Need & Procedure

According to the American Liver Foundation, about 17,000 people are on the waiting list for a new liver. For a transplant, the patient's entire liver is removed, and the patient receives either a full liver or a partial liver that will grow into a full-size liver. There are several reasons why a person would need a transplant.

Cirrhosis

• Cirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. The scarring and inflammation of the liver can damage it enough to require a transplant.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, which would result in the need for a liver transplant. Other types of hepatitis have similar risk of liver damage.

Tumors

• Cancerous or noncancerous tumors in the liver or bile duct can cause a patient to need a liver transplant.

Metabolic Disorders

• Some metabolic disorders, including Wilson disease, where the body has an excess of copper, could require patients to need a new liver.

Drugs and Alcohol

• Alcoholism and drug abuse can severely damage the liver, causing the need for a liver transplant.

Sudden Liver Failure

• When the liver undergoes sudden failure, other organs can be negatively affected in a short time, including the lungs, kidneys and brain.