10-18-2009, 09:46 PM
Hi,
One thing that is important, though, is to have flexibility. I don't know how flexible a state run system would be. I do know, from personal experience, that there is some flexibility in our system. When I was first diagnosed with leukemia, I was told that I only qualified for a mini-transplant because of my age. However, the resistance of my leukemia to chemo removed the possibility of the mini-transplant. On the other hand, my resilience to three major rounds of chemo convinced the doctors at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance that I was strong enough to risk a myeloablative transplant. Had they not re-evaluated the situation, the Lounge would be one grumpy old fart less.:)
--Pete
Quote:Age is a perfectly relevant medical criterion, especially for prognosis. When deciding how to treat patients, prognosis is important. An organ transplant for a 20-year old could lead to half a century or more of increased lifespan. An organ transplant for an 85-year old is, most likely, not going to lead to more than a decade at the outside, accompanied by a significant QOL decrease. That's important.To expand on this point, there are other related age factors. It is well known that with increasing age, the body's ability to endure stress and to recover from medical insult decreases. So, in your example, in addition to the reduced benefits to the older patient is the increased risks of dying during the operation, of not being able to tolerate the anti-rejection medication, and of not recovering from the surgery. The cost-benefit relationship must include these dangers as costs.
One thing that is important, though, is to have flexibility. I don't know how flexible a state run system would be. I do know, from personal experience, that there is some flexibility in our system. When I was first diagnosed with leukemia, I was told that I only qualified for a mini-transplant because of my age. However, the resistance of my leukemia to chemo removed the possibility of the mini-transplant. On the other hand, my resilience to three major rounds of chemo convinced the doctors at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance that I was strong enough to risk a myeloablative transplant. Had they not re-evaluated the situation, the Lounge would be one grumpy old fart less.:)
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?