Transplant patients given cancerous organs

Kunal Dutta
Monday 21 March 2011 21:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An investigation is under way at Royal Liverpool University hospital after two transplant patients were given kidneys from a donor with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

The patients, each of whom was initially set for live transplants from their sister, instead received organs from a woman that had died in another hospital. It later transpired that the donor had a rare disease called intravascular B-cell lymphoma. Both patients are now receiving chemotherapy treatment.

The incident, which occured last November, raises questions about guidance to patients and whether sufficient checks are made.

An investigation has been launched. James Neuberger, associate medical director at NHSBT, said the incident happened weeks before new guidance was circulated to clinicians on obtaining consent from patients and warning them of risks – including from donor-donated tumours.

The patients in the Liverpool case have notified lawyers, who are seeking legal aid.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in