Liver transplant (2024)

FAQs

What percentage of liver transplants are successful? ›

Liver transplant survival rates

In general, about 75% of people who undergo liver transplant live for at least five years. That means that for every 100 people who receive a liver transplant for any reason, about 75 will live for five years and 25 will die within five years.

On average, most people who receive LT live for more than 10 years. Many may live for up to 20 years or more after the transplant. A study says 90% of people with transplant survive for at least 1 year, and 70% of people may live for at least 5 years after transplant.

Complications of a liver transplant can include rejection, an increased risk of infection, graft failure, biliary conditions and a higher risk of developing certain conditions – including some types of cancer.

Rejection happens in up to 30 in 100 patients. The risk of rejection is highest in the first 6 months after a transplant. After this time, your body's immune system is less likely to recognise the liver as coming from another person. Chronic rejection happens in 2 in 100 patients.

72 percent still alive 5 years after the surgery. 53 percent still alive 20 years after the surgery.

Deaths from cirrhosis and liver failure accounted for a high proportion of deaths within 1 year after transplantation, and deaths from malignant tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma were high among late-stage deaths.

Common reasons why a liver transplant may not be the right treatment for you include: You are too ill or frail to cope with the surgery and aftercare. You have recently had cancer, a serious infection, a heart attack or a stroke. You may struggle taking the immunosuppressant medicines after a liver transplant.

Liver transplant can have excellent outcomes. Recipients have been known to live a normal life over 30 years after the operation.

If your MELD or PELD score is very high, you will have very high priority for a transplant. MELD scores range from 6 (least sick) to 40 (most sick). PELD scores may range lower or higher than MELD scores. Your score may go up or down over time as your liver disease either worsens or improves.

What state is easiest to get a liver transplant? ›

Florida may have the shortest waiting list as they have the highest transplant rates from deceased donors. Waiting times can depend on factors such as liver health, overall health, age, location, blood type, and body size.

Prolonged Life Expectancy: Liver transplantation significantly improves survival rates for individuals with advanced cirrhosis compared to alternative treatments. Studies have shown that liver transplant surgery recipients have a five-year survival rate of approximately 80% and a ten-year survival rate of 60-70%.

Is there an age limit for liver transplantation? The age limit is individualized as it varies with a patient's overall health condition. However, it is rare to offer liver transplant to someone greater than 70 years old.

Chronic rejection has widely varied effects on different organs. At 5 years post-transplant, 80% of lung transplants, 60% of heart transplants and 50% of kidney transplants are affected, while liver transplants are only affected 10% of the time.

Chronic rejection happens in 2 in 100 patients. The risk of rejection is highest in the 6 months after a transplant. After this time, your body's immune system is less likely to recognise the liver as coming from another person. However, chronic rejection can occur after 6 months.

After liver transplant, the risk of skin cancer is around 40 in 100 patients over a lifetime. The risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), a type of white blood cell cancer, is around 2 to 4 in 100. Symptoms of PTLD include night-sweats, fevers and weight loss.

Most patients can return to a normal or near-normal activity and participate in fairly vigorous exercise six to 12 months after successful liver transplant surgery. Often, we let patients return to work and drive as little as two to three months after liver transplantation.

Infections and bile duct complications are common after a liver transplant. You will need to take strong medicines to suppress your immune system. You may need further surgery to fix any problems. It is possible that the transplanted liver doesn't work properly.