Lung Transplant

A lung transplant replaces one or both diseased lungs with donor lungs. It is a last-resort treatment for end-stage lung scarring, including severe asbestosis, in carefully selected patients. It is not used to treat mesothelioma or other cancers, and it requires lifelong medicines to prevent rejection.

Origin

The first human lung transplant was performed in 1963 by James Hardy in Mississippi; the patient lived 18 days. Lasting success came in the 1980s, led by surgeons in Toronto, as better anti-rejection drugs became available.

Significance in Asbestos Context

Asbestosis is a type of pulmonary fibrosis, and like other scarring lung diseases it can progress to the point where oxygen and medicines no longer keep a person stable. At that stage, a transplant center may evaluate the patient. Centers look at age, overall health, heart function, other illnesses, weight, smoking (patients must have quit) and support at home; many people with asbestosis are older and have other conditions that rule them out. Centers also check carefully for cancer, because asbestos-exposed patients have a higher risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, and an active cancer usually rules out transplant. Survival after lung transplant is shorter than after most other organ transplants; roughly half of recipients are alive five years later, though results vary by center and patient. For a claim, a transplant evaluation, the surgery, and the lifelong follow-up and medicines are major medical costs and evidence of how severe the asbestosis became.

Example Sentence

His asbestosis had progressed despite oxygen and antifibrotic medicine, so his pulmonologist referred him to a transplant center for evaluation.

Related Terms

Asbestosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Interstitial Lung Disease, Supplemental Oxygen, Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), Six-Minute Walk Test, Economic Damages, Life Expectancy

Notes

• If asbestosis is worsening, ask your pulmonologist whether and when a transplant referral makes sense; evaluation takes time.
• Keep a complete set of breathing tests, CT scans and oxygen records; transplant centers will ask for them.
• Keep records of transplant-related travel, medicines and follow-up costs.