When should one get a liver transplant?

Liver transplant surgery is a life-saving procedure. It is a surgical procedure to replace a failing or diseased liver with a healthy one that comes from another person's body. The patients can receive a whole liver from a donor who has recently been pronounced dead or get a part of a liver from a living donor. Before going ahead with any procedures, people should know the cost of liver transplant in India.


When do people get liver transplants?

Anyone can't live without a functioning liver. If the liver is failing, or if an individual is suffering from primary liver cancer, a liver transplant could save their life. There might be several causes behind the liver to stop working. It can be caused by chronic liver disease, immediate/acute causes (such as toxic poisoning), and more. Mentioned below are some of the major factors in which an individual needs a liver transplant.

Acute liver failure 

When a healthy liver gets severe damage, acute liver failure occurs. The damage may come from toxic poisoning or infection. If a person has acute liver failure, they will have symptoms of liver insufficiency, which is evidence that the liver has stopped working. It is an emergency, and people need to consult a liver specialist soon. In some cases, the liver recovers from acute liver failure; however, it might not recover sometimes. 

Chronic liver failure

Chronic liver failure is the end-stage of chronic and progressive liver disease. It usually means that most of the liver tissue has been replaced with scar tissue with no blood flow. It is also known as cirrhosis of the liver. People can feel the signs of decompensated liver disease when the liver functions begin to break down.

Primary liver cancer
 
Primary liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of cancer that develops in the liver. If cancer doesn't spread beyond the liver, removing the liver can remove cancer and cure it. Sometimes the healthcare provider can remove just a piece of the liver with the tumour (partial liver resection). However, a transplant may be needed if the liver is in poor condition.

Liver cirrhosis
 
Liver cirrhosis can be the outcome of long-term liver disease and liver scarring. It may not cause liver failure at the outset, but over time the liver gradually loses its functions and may require to be replaced by transplantation. Liver cirrhosis includes various complications such as encephalopathy (affliction of the brain due to liver failure), ascites (accumulation of fluid within the abdomen), loss of blood due to portal hypertension, variceal haemorrhage or bleeding, and more. People suffering from liver-related issues are usually advised to undergo a liver transplant so that they can have a normal and better life.
 
Primary biliary cirrhosis
 
Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that necessitates a liver transplant. There may be a build-up of bile inside the liver. It usually happens because the immune system attacks the bile ducts within the liver. PBC is a relatively rare condition. However, it remains one of the most common reasons a person requires a liver transplant.
 
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
 
Primary sclerosing cholangitis is another chronic inflammation of the liver that needs liver transplantation. It usually ends up being a liver failure after several passing years. This condition affects about 1 in 16,000 people between the ages of 30 and 50.
 
Autoimmune hepatitis
 
When the human body is not able to recognise the liver on its own, autoimmune hepatitis occurs. In this condition, the liver tissues get attacked inside the body. It can lead to liver failure. The reason for this reaction is still not known to healthcare providers.
 
Biliary atresia
 
In children, the most common factor for liver transplantation is biliary atresia, in which the bile ducts that transport the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and help in digestion are underdeveloped. In the initial few months of life, reconstructive surgery may be undertaken to correct this condition. However, some children develop deep jaundice and, finally, liver failure.
 
The bottom line
 
The liver is one of the essential organs present inside the human body. It performs multiple complex functions that no medical or mechanical substitute can replace. Usually, people don't notice the symptoms of liver-related issues until it begins to fail. Liver disease has many causes. Some can be cured easily, and some cannot even be noticed until the damage has been done. 
 
Liver transplant surgery offers hope to many people suffering from liver diseases. The cost of liver transplant in India might also vary depending upon several factors such as location, condition of the patient, doctor's experience, and more. People must visit and consult the healthcare providers at AILBS. Explore the website to know more.

 



 

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