Liver transplants save lives, but may up cancer risk
November 7, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Many years ago, before I had my children, I knew someone who received a new liver. I remember as she was waiting for the call; it was very stressful on her because she knew what had to happen for her to get a liver. She was also very tiny, not even 5 foot, so she needed a tiny one and she knew where a tiny one would come from.
As it happened, my friend became one of the first to receive a partial liver and when I last heard about her a few years ago, she was still doing well. I remember how sick she was and how scared she was. I also remember how wonderful the miracle of science was. So, imagine my dismay when I read this article, Liver Transplant Recipients Have Higher Cancer Risk, Study Suggests.
According to the article, people who had received a liver transplant were at a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and colorectal cancer. The researchers did point out though, that the risks were higher during the first year after receiving the transplant and among those who were younger.
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Tags: cancer blog, liver transplant, non hodgkin’s lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cancer risk, liver transplant recipient
