Transplant and Hepatic (Liver) Pathology

More people than ever before are living longer and healthier lives thanks to organ transplants.

Advances in transplantation technologies have helped many people qualify for and receive organs, such as:

• kidneys
• lungs
• hearts
• livers

Unfortunately, sometimes the body may reject a donor organ.

Organ transplant recipients take antirejection drugs to combat this fairly common complication, but these medicines suppress the body's immune system, leaving people more susceptible to infection and other diseases.

Doctors often take tissue samples from the donor organ to test for signs of rejection or infection.

The Role of the Pathologist

Transplant pathologists specialize in identifying rejection, infection, and other conditions. Their diagnoses help the transplant surgery team care for the patient before and after surgery.

These pathologists also deal with liver disease related to:

• viral infections
• immunological and metabolic disorders
• liver malignancies

Learn more about transplant pathology from the Department of Pathology.

Get Your Test Results Now