HAVING A CADAVER LIVER TRANSPLANT

MY MELD SCORE IS 17,I AM AGED62 AND LIVE IN THE UK,WHERE OBTAINING A CADAVER LIVER TRANSPLANT IS VERY DIFFICULT UNLESS YOU ARE AT DEATH'S DOOR.I DO NOT WANT TO BECOME EVEN SICKER-ASCITES AND VARICES,POTENTIAL OF CANCER,RENAL PROBLEMS ETC.I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CADAVER OVERSEAS WITH ONLY A MONTH TO WAIT.I KNOW I WILL BE TAKING THE TRANSPLANT EARLY,BUT GIVEN THAT MANY COUNTRIES ARE CLOSING THEIR DOORS TO FOREIGNERS RECEIVING CADAVER LIVER TRANSPLANTS,I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY BE DENIED THIS PROCEDURE IF I WAIT MUCH LONGER-I KNOW AT LEAST 5 COUNTRIES HAVE STOPPED PROVIDING THIS PROCEDURE FOR FOREIGNERS IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS.WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES?

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

i empathize with what you're saying but remember that transplantation is trading one set of problems for another, even though its miraculous and life saving.  Although you may be cured of your liver disease, you then to face the potential complications of the immunosuppressive medications. In addition, some liver diseases can recur post-liver transplantation.  Some centers overseas have excellent results while others do not and there is no good way of tracking this.  I would be cautious regarding transplant tourism for this reason.  i would personally wait things out on the list.