Partial liver transplant

Posted by jkswcon @jkswcon, Jun 13 1:08pm

My daughter has cirrhosis in 2/3 of her liver (non alcoholic). Would she be eligible for a partial transplant? Her MELD score is only 7, so she's not eligible for a full transplant.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Transplants Support Group.

parrot53 | @parrot53 | Jun 15 5:25am

Hello, there is a protocol for qualifying for liver transplant. With a low MELD score there would have to be liver complications that determine a patient is still sick enough to require a transplant. Liver cancer is one of those complications. The patient is given points that raise the MELD score if there is a serious issue not indicated by the score itself. They are called exception points. The best place to find out about qualifying for a transplant is a transplant center like Mayo. They will do a workup to determine the seriousness of your case. They have a committee that review the test results to determine if a patient is in need of a transplant.
You can also get more information here.
https://optn.transplant.hrsa.gov/patients/about-transplantation/
Wishing your daughter the very best.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 18 8:34am

@jkswcon, Is your daughter under the care of a liver specialist?

jkswcon | @jkswcon | Jun 18 9:06am

She belongs to an HMO, but I don't think they have a specific liver specialist on staff.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 25 3:49pm

In reply to @jkswcon "She belongs to an HMO, but I don't think they have a specific liver specialist on..." + (show)

@jkswcon, how are you and your daughter doing? Any update?

jkswcon | @jkswcon | Jun 26 11:02am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@jkswcon, how are you and your daughter doing? Any update?" + (show)

A lot of back pain, but they're not addressing that. Otherwise sticking to a strict diet. She really needs to lose a lot weight. Her MELD score is only 7, so there is no discussion of transplant yet even though her liver is 2/3 involved.

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Jun 26 2:48pm

In reply to @jkswcon "A lot of back pain, but they're not addressing that. Otherwise sticking to a strict diet...." + (show)

@jkswcon, As you are currently experiencing, meld score of 7 does not qualify someone for a liver transplant. From my experience, I spent nearly 9 years living with my liver condition, while being monitored by my local GI. So for 9 years I waited and wondered - and worked diligently to maintain healthy habits and had labs drawn every 3 months. Both my GI and my PCP stressed the importance of a healthy lifestyle that included healthy eating staying active, plus avoiding over-the-counter-med (including vitamins and supplements) and no alcohol.

Jkswcon, as a patient, I am not sure what it means to have 2/3 of liver involved. Has the doctor explained what this is and whether there is any effective treatment?