Hope for Patients with a Genetic Liver Disease

Science Daily published an article entitled “Liver Transplantation for Patients with Genetic Liver Conditions Has High Survival Rate, Study Finds” by Henrik Petrowsky, F. Charles Brunicardi, Voon Meng Leow, Robert S. Venick, Vatche Agopian, Fady M. Kaldas, Ali Zarrinpar, Daniela Markovic, Sue V. McDiarmid, Johnny C. Hong, Douglas G. Farmer, Jonathan R. Hiatt, and Ronald W. Busuttil. The article reviewed a study done on the survival rates of pediatric and adult recipients of liver transplants who had genetic liver disorders. These patients who suffered from a lethal genetic liver condition faced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other life threatening conditions without the liver transplants. Both the pediatric and adult patients had high rates of survival at 5 and 20 years after liver transplant surgery. Although, a liver transplants cost over five hundred thousand dollars, it still will save a patient’s life.



I think this article is good news to those who are suffering from a genetic liver disease such as hemochromatosis which causes your body to absorb too much iron from the food you eat. The excess iron is stored in your organs, especially your liver, heart, and pancreas leading to life threatening conditions such as cancer, heart arrhythmias, and cirrhosis.

Article Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130405155830.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/liver-problems/DS01133