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In cases of severe liver dysfunction or advanced stages of cirrhosis the liver, transplantation with a donor liver may be the only option left for a patient. Keep in mind that a liver transplant does not cure a Hepatitis C infection as it is common that the virus will affect the new liver very quickly after transplantation in the same manner as with the old liver. In some cases, an aggressive form of a Hep C viral infection develops within months of the transplant procedure.
The ability to obtain a second liver transplant is less likely at this point as most transplant centers do not offer a second transplantation option.
Factors, among others, that can determine the likelihood of early post-transplant damage to the new liver organ include 1) the level and the choice of immunosuppressant medication prescribed after the transplant, 2) the Hep C viral load before transplant, and 3) the age of the liver donor.
