Expanding Organ Usage: UK study finds organs from patients with a primary brain tumor are a viable option

Summary: A national cohort study in the UK investigated the risk of cancer transmission from deceased donors with primary brain tumors to organ recipients. The study found no cases of brain tumor transmission among 778 transplants from 282 donors with primary brain tumors, including 262 from donors with high-grade tumors. Organ transplant survival was equivalent to that in matched controls, and some organs from donors with high-grade tumors were less likely to be transplanted.

The results suggest that the risk of cancer transmission in transplants from deceased donors with primary brain tumors is lower than previously thought. Furthermore, the study indicated that donors with brain tumors provided good-quality organs with favorable risk markers and excellent transplant outcomes. Some organs from donors with high-grade tumors were underutilized, indicating a possible aversion by transplant clinicians or patients to use these organs.

These findings imply that it may be possible to safely expand organ usage from donors with primary brain tumors without negatively impacting outcomes, potentially benefiting many patients waiting for a transplant. Although this might lead to a slight rise in transplant numbers in the UK, the findings may hold particular significance for nations with stricter guidelines, such as the United States. The study’s findings can help transplant clinicians discuss the risks and benefits of accepting organ offers from such donors.

Article: Organ Transplants From Deceased Donors With Primary Brain Tumors and Risk of Cancer Transmission – JAMA Surgery