Liver Diseases and Treatment Options
Some of the most common liver diseases that lead to liver transplantation include:
Treatment Options
There are effective medicines for some liver diseases. Some treat only the complications of the disease, which may be all that is needed if the liver is not failing. Other times, medical treatment will only delay the need for a transplant.
Liver transplantation offers an acceptable treatment for many forms of end-stage liver disease. However, a liver transplant is not a treatment for certain diseases, such as some infections and types of cancer, because they likely will reoccur in the new organ. There may be other reasons why some children may not be candidates for a liver transplant.
It is important to understand liver transplantation is not a cure. It offers children a chance for long-term survival. Caring for the new liver is a lifelong commitment, requiring frequent blood tests and daily medications for the rest of your child's life.
Steps to Liver Transplantation
There are several steps to liver transplantation:
