What is liver transplant rejection?
Liver transplant rejection is the refusal of the body to accept the foreign liver. In transplantation, a new “foreign liver” is transplanted in the body. If the body identifies the new organ as “foreign” it tries to attack the organ not realising that it is beneficial for proper functioning of the body. The immune system works differently after the liver transplant. It creates antibodies to kill the new organ.
Dr. Vivek Vij is the best liver transplant surgeon in India and a youngest specialist in Delhi.
To prevent rejection of the new transplanted organ, patients are prescribed immunosuppressants (anti-rejection) medicines to trick the immune system in accepting the foreign organ as part of the body.
Immune system plays a vital role in protecting the body from cancer and infection. T-cells from the immune system are constantly circulating in the blood to identify transplanted organ tissue. A molecule called Human Lymphocyte Antigens (HLA) provides a unique signature in your cells giving a message to the cells that they belong to the body. After the transplant, there is a risk that T-cells may notice that the transplanted organ does not have the same HLA as the rest of the body and hence it will try and damage the new liver.
There are two types of liver rejection. The rejection depends on the cells causing the rejection and by the severity of the rejection.
Chronic rejection:
Chronic rejection takes place overtime. This rejection is challenging to resolve because it causes permanent damage to the tissues and eventually the liver loses its potential to function properly.
Acute Cellular rejection:
Acute cellular rejection is the most common. Here, the body’s cells identify the foreign liver and form an army to attack it. It usually happens in the starting 3 months after the transplant procedure. However, it can easily be treated.
Acute rejection doesn’t imply that you will lose the transplanted liver rather it is important to diagnose and treat it as early as possible. To help detect rejection, timely blood tests must be done, followed by routine follow up visits to liver transplant specialists in India and report any symptoms if any.
What are the ways to prevent the rejection of the organ:
Individuals are given immunosuppressant medications for the rest of their lives to prevent rejection. The most commonly used anti-rejection medicines are:
- Tacrolimus
- Prednisones
- Cyclosporine
The dosess of these medicines are gradually reduced depending on how the body is responding to the surgery. Anti-rejection medicines affect the immune system hence individuals taking these medicines are at high risk of infection. Hence, alongside anti-rejection medicines, orthotopic liver transplant doctors will also prescribe anti-infection medication.
A proper balance is vital in preventing rejection and fighting infection. Periodically, blood tests are conducted after the transplant to check if the medications are given at moderation- nor too little or not too much. White blood cells (WBC) are also an indication of how much blood you may need.
At an early stage of recovery, the risk of infection is higher because high doses of anti-rejection drugs are given at this time. Some infections that you will be more prone to include yeast, respiratory virus and herpes.
Symptoms of liver transplant rejection:
According to the best liver cancer treatment in India, following are some most common signs and symptoms of rejection. The symptoms may differ person to person.
- Itching
- Tiredness
- Irritability
- Headache
- Jaundice
- Dark urine Fever more than 100° F
- Abdominal swelling or tenderness
If you face any of the above mentioned symptoms, it is vital to bring it to the notice of the best liver cancer treatment hospital in India before it is too late as it can be life-threatening.
Additionally your doctor will perform a liver biopsy to confirm that the symptoms are causing rejection.
To decrease the risks of rejection you must do the following:
- Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Have routine blood tests as guided by your doctor
- Followup visits after the blood test with your transplant coordinator.
- Understand the symptoms of liver rejection.
- Never fall short of medicines.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and illegal drugs.
- Avoid herbal remedies and supplements until a heads up is received by your doctor.
- Stay in touch with your transplant team for any changes in anti-rejection drugs.
- Call the doctor if you feel any of the above mentioned symptoms is related to you.
And lastly, sit back and relax. Bring in the positivity and soon you would recover.
