Ethical Selection on Liver Transplantation and Abandoning Treatment for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in China

Abstract Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has evolved in China over three decades, emerging as the mainstay treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some Chinese transplantation centers have begun offering OLT for selected patients with HCC exceeding Milan criteria. However, this still re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transplantation proceedings 2011-09, Vol.43 (7), p.2656-2659
Main Authors: Xia, D, Zuo, H.-Q, Quan, Y, Dong, H.-L, Xu, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - surgery
China
Ethics
Ethics, Medical
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Humans
Liver Neoplasms - surgery
Liver Transplantation
Liver, biliary tract, pancreas, portal circulation, spleen
Medical sciences
Patient Selection - ethics
Surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
Surgery of the digestive system
Tissue, organ and graft immunology
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Summary:Abstract Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has evolved in China over three decades, emerging as the mainstay treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Some Chinese transplantation centers have begun offering OLT for selected patients with HCC exceeding Milan criteria. However, this still remains a controversial subject. In this article, we have weighed arguments for and against OLT for advanced HCC. Meanwhile, the development of OLT for HCC in China has raised problems, mainly focused on ethical and moral concerns. Postmodern philosophy and ethics, particularly the life value theory, shall be the theoretical support to the concept of abandoning treatment. In China, ethical selection for OLT and abandoning treatment for HCC must be made justly and prudently.
ISSN:0041-1345
1873-2623
DOI:10.1016/j.transproceed.2011.06.062