Being turned down for a liver transplant may no longer be the final answer. Penn Medicine is expanding eligibility for selected patients, including some with recent alcohol use, certain cancers, or other health problems. Alcohol-related cases receive coordinated addiction treatment and recovery support.
Living donors can help patients receive transplants sooner, while new technology allows doctors to use some previously unsuitable donor livers. The takeaway: ask for a transplant evaluation early—even if you were previously told you wouldn’t qualify. Each person still needs an individual assessment. Read the Penn Medicine article titled “Expanding eligibility for liver transplant (The Penn Transplant Institute is expanding liver transplant access through broader eligibility criteria, living donor transplants, and multidisciplinary care).
