Liver transplant toddler battling cancer that came from the donated organ that saved her life

March 11, 2019  23:35

Evie Latewood has tumours in her new liver, as well as the ribs, kidneys and abdomen.

Docs confirmed it came from her donor, who died of brain cancer.

Evie, born with a rare liver disease, became gravely ill last February aged nine months.

A liver was found in 24 hours, and doctors told her mum Nathalie, 26, and dad Dyllan, 27, the chance of the disease being passed on was 0.5 per cent. Evie, who has a twin sister Katie and brother Eli, three, then spent five weeks in hospital and appeared to make a full recovery.

But her mum saw a lump on her ribs last November — and doctors discovered cancer cells had been growing in her liver and spreading.

EVIE'S PROGNOSIS IS UNKNOWN

It was diagnosed as glioblastoma, the cancer which killed her donor.

Nathalie said: “It hit really hard. You are completely devastated. You go on auto­pilot.” Evie, two next month, has finished a course of ­chemotherapy which has shrunk her tumours.

But as her condition is so rare her prognosis is unknown.

Nathalie, of Portadown, Northern Ireland, said: “If she hadn’t had that transplant she would not be alive today and after it she had an amazing eight months.”

She said of Evie: “She is such a happy wee thing.

“To see what she has overcome is amazing.”

The Sun

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter


 
  • Video
 
 
  • Event calendar
 
 
  • Archive
 
  • Most read
 
  • Find us on Facebook
 
  • Poll
Are you aware that in 2027 medical insurance will become mandatory for all Armenian citizens?
I’m aware, and I'm in favor
I’m not aware, and I'm against
I'm aware, but I'm still undecided
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm in favor
I'm not aware, but in principle I'm against
It doesn't matter to me