All About Life-Saving Organ Transplants

6. The Possibility of Rejection

Rejection of the donor organ is a complication of every transplant, though the severity of rejection varies. Immunosuppressants, which decrease the body's immune response, help minimize rejections. The organ recipient must take this medication for the rest of his or her life and will require regular monitoring for rejection. Chronic rejection occurs when the immune system repeatedly rejects the donor organ. Though a second transplant may be an option, chronic rejections are often fatal. The possibility of chronic rejection rises when the immune system compatibility between donor and recipient is less than ideal. However, the risk of rejection decreases with time.