Organ Transplantation

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

i just finished my peds clinical rotation on an oncolgy/hemotology floor. i spent the last two weeks with an amazing little boy that has stage iii hepatoblastoma. his prognosis is poor and i was told that a liver transplant is not an option for him. what i am wondering is what is the criteria for organ tranplantation? is it different for children? is there a reason it would not be an option? thanks for your input.

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I think the problem with this kiddo is the stage of his disease. Stage III hepatoblastoma would involve cancer cells that have spread into the lymph nodes already.

Sounds like a neat kid. Sad what some of those little guys go through.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

The only time transplantation can be offered for hepatoblastoma is when the cancer is completely contained within the liver. Even a single cell that has escaped would become a raging inferno once the new organ is in and the immunosuppressive regime started. Those drugs act like Miracle Gro for cancer; in fact, one of the known complications of transplantation is post-transplantation malignancy, usually lymphoproliferative disease. So your little guy doesn't qualify due to the advanced stage of his cancer. Hopefully the remainder of his life will be filled with love and laughter and the people who care about him.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hello, mom2bears,

Criteria includes, after surgical intervention, chemo and a rigid work-up long before transplantation. Stage III is not consiidered for that includes positive lymph nodes and involvement outside the liver as Eric and Jan pointed out.

Yes, I hope his life is filled with laughter and surrounded by family and friends who will give him the love and attention he so deserves.

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Specializes in Assisted Living Nurse Manager.
Hello, mom2bears,

Criteria includes, after surgical intervention, chemo and a rigid work-up long before transplantation. Stage III is not consiidered for that includes positive lymph nodes and involvement outside the liver as Eric and Jan pointed out.

Yes, I hope his life is filled with laughter and surrounded by family and friends who will give him the love and attention he so deserves.

Welcome back Siri, hope you had a wonderful vacation!!!!!!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Hi, nd mom and thanks. It was strictly a business trip, but managed to get a little pleasure in!

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Specializes in orthopaedics.

thank you so much for your replies. i have gotten teary in the last 24 hours just thinking about the little guy. i know that the time i spent with him i cared for him as if he was my own. he will always have a special place in my heart i learned a lot from him.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

hello again, mom2bears,

amazing how one small soul - a perfect perfect stranger - can enter our lives and make such an indelible mark, is it not? i can just about promise you that you will never forget this little boy. i am certain you touched his precious life as well. bless you.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
hello again, mom2bears,

amazing how one small soul - a perfect perfect stranger - can enter our lives and make such an indelible mark, is it not? i can just about promise you that you will never forget this little boy. i am certain you touched his precious life as well. bless you.

i so agree and though it is hard to bear sometimes, meeting special people like this child is what makes nursing special.

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