Lung transplant

Dear Ask The Doctor: Dont know if you can answer this, what are the chances of a 75 year old man with the financial means being able to get a lung transplant, my father in law has COPD, emphasyma, small cell carcinoma which is in remission in his lung, and the man just wants to live.. can you please advise me, he is a non-smoker

Dear Brett:

Emphysema is a condition that limits the flow of air when breathing out and is considered to be a progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

There are many treatments that are given and most of the patients do well and slow the progression of the COPD. I agree that this condition has no cure but I would suggest first to get a proper evaluation by a pneumologist and make a decision n with him after staging the actual condition of the patient.

Certainly Lung transplantation is an option if the patient has severe emphysema and other options have failed. I can’t respond about the chances for a transplant due to the variety of factors including the actual condition of the patient and the real need of it. I hope I cleared your doubt.