| Theme | Liver Transplantation -- Current Status and Perspective | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Liver Transplantation for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis | |
| Publish Date | 2013/08 | |
| Author | Toshihiko Ikegami | Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine |
| Author | Shin-ichi Miyagawa | Department of Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), which is classified as an autoimmune disease, is a comparatively rare cholestatic liver condition. In Japanese adults, it is the third most common reason for liver transplantation. As is the case with other chronic liver diseases, liver transplantation is an option for PBC patients who are likely to die due to decompensated liver cirrhosis, those who experience recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices, or those who develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver transplantation for PBC is performed predominantly using grafts from living donors as other liver diseases are treated in Japan. Whether grafts are taken from living donors or deceased donors, survival rates for PBC patients after liver transplantation are relatively high. Therefore, patients with PBC are thought to be a good candidates for liver transplantation. Patients with advanced liver cirrhosis should be referred early to transplant centers. PBC may recur after transplants. However, it rarely influences survival rates patients who receive liver transplants have an average post-transplant life span of ten years. |
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