Can I donate my liver to save my sister's life?

Q: My sister has cirrhosis of the liver. She needs a liver transplant to save her life and has been assessed at Vanderbilt. I have the same blood type. I have had a gall bladder removal surgery 20 years ago. I also have H. pylori bacteria in my stomach and underwent vaginal hysterectomy 18 years ago. I am taking bromocriptine for a pituitary macroadenoma. Other than these, I am completely healthy 51 years old and have never used drugs, alcohol or smoked. Am I a good candidate as a liver donor?

A:Yes, you can be evaluated for liver donation. I see no reason why you cannot donate. The risks for donation are approximately 1 in 200 and in many centres there has been no donor death. As far as Vanderbilt is concerned, I am not aware that they have an active living related adult-to-adult liver transplant programme. You could come to India for transplantation. The cost of living related liver transplantation in India is 45 000 US dollars.