ie: I seem to remember a story where an infant needed a new liver - however, one could not be found that was a match (by blood type/size.) One of the parents then donated a portion of their liver to "create" a new one for the baby. It went on to say that the missing portion in the parent would regenerate itself. Can an adult donate a portion of a healthy liver to "create" a new one for an adult diagnosed with cirrhosis?
2006-07-09 05:25:21 · 12 answers · asked by Eliza 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes, a living liver transplant is possible. I know a woman who donated a portion of her liver to her husband. Although he ultimately died, his life was extended for several years, allowing him more time with his children. Her liver fully regenerated. The attached link describes more about living liver transplants. In the best cases, both the donor and the recipient end up with a fully functioning liver. Sometimes, the transplant does not take, but the donors generally recover fully, although the surgery itself does present signficant risks, as does any surgery.
2006-07-09 05:35:30 · answer #1 · answered by just♪wondering 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have had 70% of my liver cut out & it grew back w/in a few months. I may later have to have the other 30% cut out. So, Yes an adult can donate a portion of their liver & the portion will grow back. It's a very bad surgery but if someone you love has cirrhosis it would be worth it to save their life.
2006-07-09 05:43:21 · answer #2 · answered by smiley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Those cells that already specialized for the tissue types surrounding it. It's not the same with adults. Tissue matching the liver from from the donor to a recipient is more complicated than most people know. Theoretical possibility, but in terms of actual numbers of success not very probable. Less so the more significant the damage. And why would you even think about a transplant unless the damage was significant?
2006-07-09 05:31:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is definitely a truth about a healthy liver regenerating itself. However, the use of a living donor for a liver really isn't done too much. It puts both the donor and reciepient at risk and is usually avoided unless absolutely necessary. Good question! Hope this helps a little bit.
2006-07-09 05:34:36 · answer #4 · answered by softballer006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. My stepfather had cancer in his bile duct that he eventually succumbed to. One of the treatment options originally considered was to remove about 2/3 of his liver, because if the remaining portion of his liver was healthy, it could regenerate. That treatment option proved impossible because the cancer had spread to both bile ducts and thus to both sides of the liver.
The liver is the only vital organ that can regenerate itself.
The second part of question is far tricker. Human liver donor transplantation should be possible, but it runs all of the risks associated with transplantation and possible rejection.
In the case of cancer of the liver, it is not possible, because the anti-rejection medicines used suppress the immune system and thus allow the cancer to quickly attack other organs.
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2002/a2all.htm
2006-07-09 05:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by ecmfw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as little as 25% remaining of a liver will regenerate, it's due to having a kind of stem cell called hepatocytes present which will divide and cause regrowth. not sure about cirrhosis as this replaces normal liver with fibrous tissue. liver transplant is the only option in advanced cases.
2006-07-09 05:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two lobes to the liver. One lobe can regenerate if enough healthy tissue exists. The other lobe, however, isn't so equipped. When it comes to cirrhosis of the liver, there is too much damage to regrow.
2006-07-09 05:29:30 · answer #7 · answered by dark_storm73 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know first hand that it does.
I have liver cancer. 3 years ago I had 23% of my liver removed (tumor had lived there), I was in remission for 10 months and my liver regrew (regenerated) not quite entirely because the cancer is back. But if I had fought the cancer better my liver would of 100% been back.
2006-07-09 05:39:19 · answer #8 · answered by Marla 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the liver is theonly self-regenerating organ. It's true that a person can lose half their liver (by doanting it or whatever)and it will regenerate, and the body of the person they donated the other half to will complete it.
2006-07-09 05:29:59 · answer #9 · answered by Felix Q 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it can believe its the only organ that can heal its self as long as the damage is not to great . I don't think Dr. would to that to some one that had cirrhosis
2006-07-09 05:31:11 · answer #10 · answered by basque girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋