Our Summary

This research paper is about a study conducted at the Namazi Hospital Transplant Research Center over a six-year period, from 2011 to 2017. The study looked at 15 patients who had a type of cancer called neuroendocrine tumors that had spread to their liver. The average age of the patients was 33.3 years.

The study found that liver transplants were a good treatment option for these patients, especially when other treatments hadn’t worked and the cancer was only in the liver. About half of the patients had a liver transplant alone, and a quarter had a liver transplant along with other organ transplants. One patient had a procedure called a Whipple procedure (a type of surgery to remove part of the pancreas) along with a liver transplant, and another had a part of their small intestine removed along with a liver transplant.

However, the study also found that six patients died shortly after their transplant while still in the hospital, and two more died later on. One patient needed a second transplant because their body rejected the first one.

The study concludes that in patients with these types of tumors, how the cancer is treated and how well the patient does can depend on a lot of factors, including how quickly the cancer is found and treated, how severe the symptoms are, the specifics of the tumor itself, and where it is located. The study suggests that finding and treating the cancer earlier could lead to less invasive treatments and better outcomes for patients.

FAQs

  1. What is the role of liver transplants in treating patients with nonresectable tumors limited to the liver?
  2. What were the results of the study conducted on liver transplants for patients with neuroendocrine tumors and liver metastasis?
  3. How does the management and prognosis of liver metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine tumors depend on factors like disease severity, symptoms, and tumor biology?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor may advise a patient considering a liver transplant for neuroendocrine tumors to seek early diagnosis and management to allow for less invasive treatment protocols and potentially more favorable outcomes. It is important for patients to discuss their individual case with their healthcare team to determine the best treatment approach based on the natural history of the disease, severity of symptoms, tumor biology, location, and differentiation. Regular follow-up appointments and adherence to post-transplant care instructions are also crucial for long-term success.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for liver transplant include those with nonresectable tumors that are limited to the liver and do not respond to medical treatment. Specifically, patients with neuroendocrine tumors and liver metastasis may benefit from liver transplant with or without more extensive surgical interventions. Other factors that may influence the recommendation for liver transplant include the natural history of the disease, severity and progression of symptoms, tumor biology, location, and differentiation. Early diagnosis and management are crucial in order to allow for less invasive treatment protocols and potentially more favorable outcomes.

Timeline

Before liver transplant:

  • Patients are diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastasis
  • Patients undergo evaluation and assessment for liver transplant eligibility
  • Patients may undergo chemotherapy or other medical treatments to manage tumor growth
  • Patients are placed on the transplant waiting list

After liver transplant:

  • Patients undergo liver transplant surgery
  • Patients are closely monitored in the post-transplant period for complications
  • Some patients may require additional surgical interventions, such as Whipple procedure or segmental ileal resection
  • Some patients may experience early mortality or complications post-transplant
  • Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor for rejection and other complications
  • Some patients may require retransplantation due to chronic rejection or other issues

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Am I a candidate for liver transplant as a treatment option for my neuroendocrine tumor with liver metastasis?
  2. What are the risks and potential complications associated with liver transplant in my specific case?
  3. How long is the wait time for a liver transplant, and what criteria do I need to meet to be placed on the transplant list?
  4. What is the success rate of liver transplant for patients with neuroendocrine tumors and liver metastasis?
  5. Will I need any additional treatments or surgeries in conjunction with the liver transplant?
  6. What is the expected recovery time after a liver transplant, and what kind of follow-up care will I need?
  7. How will my quality of life be affected after a liver transplant, and what support services are available to me post-transplant?
  8. What are the long-term effects of immunosuppressive medications that I will need to take after the transplant?
  9. What is the likelihood of the neuroendocrine tumors recurring after the liver transplant?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider besides liver transplant for my condition?

Reference

Authors: Moradi AM, Entezari M, Safarpour MM, Meshksar A, Muhammad S, Dehghani M, Malek Hosseini SA, Nikeghbalian S. Journal: Exp Clin Transplant. 2021 Jun;19(6):588-591. doi: 10.6002/ect.2019.0154. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31615376