Cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis C is a frequent reason for liver transplants. Even some liver cancers can, if they are detected early enough, be cured with a transplant. Transplantation is a last resort when other treatments have failed to stabilise liver function or slow down the progress of cirrhosis. In cases of severe cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, a liver transplant may be the only viable treatment option.

Liver transplantation is still a serious and highly risky intervention, even if mortality and morbidity rates are clearly improved after transplantation.