Each patient’s recovery story is unique. However, clinical cases involving organ transplantation in children under one year of age require a particularly high level of professional expertise and care. In this case, it involved transplanting a portion of the liver from a living donor the child’s father while receiving treatment outside the family’s country of residence.
An 11-month-old girl named Adriana was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease hepatoblastoma, a malignant liver tumor that, if left untreated in her hometown, could have led to liver failure. Based on medical recommendations received in Montenegro, the family decided to travel to Turkey for treatment at Acıbadem Healthcare Group.
Adriana’s mother recalls that at birth, her daughter was clinically healthy and developing normally. However, at a certain stage, her condition suddenly changed: she became unusually tense, cried frequently, refused to eat, and experienced sleep disturbances. These were the first signs of the disease.
“When Adriana was about five months old, we began consulting various specialists and underwent numerous examinations. During an ultrasound examination, doctors detected a pathological process in the liver. We did not have the opportunity to receive the necessary treatment in Montenegro, so the doctors advised us to go to Turkey for more advanced medical care. The most important thing for us was to save our daughter’s life, and so we headed to Turkey.”
Choosing the Optimal Treatment Strategy for Adriana
Adriana’s medical records were transferred to the specialists at Acıbadem Healthcare Group, where her case was reviewed by a multidisciplinary medical team.
The consultation included surgeons, radiologists, pediatric oncologists, and pediatric gastroenterologists. Following a comprehensive assessment of Adriana’s condition, the specialists determined that there was no radical treatment option other than liver transplantation. Chemotherapy and partial liver resection which are often effective in treating hepatoblastoma would not have been sufficient in Adriana’s case, as the tumor had completely affected the right lobe of the liver and major blood vessels. Therefore, a donor liver transplant was the only viable treatment option.
The main challenge was finding a suitable donor. Fortunately, Adriana’s blood type matched her father’s, and he became her donor.
Treatment in Turkey at Acıbadem Clinic
In the first stage of treatment, Adriana underwent a course of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor. At the same time, all necessary preoperative preparations for the transplant were carried out. Subsequently, a liver transplant was performed using a portion of her father’s liver.
The surgery was performed by a team of specialists led by Professor Hamdi Karakayalı, Head of the Organ Transplantation Department at Acıbadem Atakent Hospital.
Professor Karakayalı commented after the operation: “The tumor was very large and practically filled the entire liver. In addition to abdominal pain, the pressure caused by the tumor could have led to many life-threatening complications. Since we removed the tumor along with the diseased liver and replaced it with a healthy liver, Adriana’s condition is now stable. We hope it will continue to improve in the future.”
Liver transplantation is generally a complex procedure, and in children it is even more challenging. When the donor is an adult, the transplanted portion of the liver may be too large for a child’s abdominal cavity, especially in very young patients like Adriana. Therefore, the liver must be carefully reduced in size without compromising its structural integrity, damaging blood vessels or bile ducts, and while fully preserving its function.
Acıbadem’s liver transplant team reports a success rate of over 90% in similar cases. To date, Professor Hamdi Karakayalı and his team have performed more than 200 such operations on newborns, with the majority achieving positive clinical outcomes.
Ready to Enjoy Life
After overcoming significant challenges and a long medical journey, Adriana and her parents are now preparing to return to their homeland with stable health and renewed hope for the future.
Adriana’s mother shares her gratitude: “First of all, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Turkish doctors and medical staff for their high professionalism and dedication. Every stage of the treatment was carefully organized and carried out in full compliance with international standards. Adriana’s condition was critical, but thanks to the team’s expertise and continuous care, she is now with us and continues her recovery.
Most of all, we want to walk in the park, play games, and enjoy breakfast together as a family without worry. These simple moments have the greatest meaning. Today, we feel immense joy and gratitude because we believe Adriana has a long, healthy, and fulfilling life ahead of her.”
