At the age of 70, Mr. Khashaba was given news that no patient wants to hear.
Doctors in Iraq told him that his liver was severely damaged and that he needed a liver transplant as soon as possible. But there was another difficult reality: liver transplantation was not available to him locally.
Faced with a serious medical condition and limited treatment options at home, Khashaba and his family decided not to stop searching.
Their search eventually led them to Turkey.
Khashaba in his room in the Organ Transplantation Department after undergoing a liver transplant in Turkey.
A Complex Liver Condition: From NASH to Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer
Khashaba was not dealing with a single liver problem. His condition had developed over several stages.
His liver cirrhosis had developed as a result of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), a condition in which long-term inflammation and damage caused by fat accumulation in the liver can progressively lead to scarring. Over time, this scarring can become extensive and develop into advanced cirrhosis, severely affecting the liver’s ability to perform its essential functions.
By the time Khashaba was evaluated, his liver disease had reached an advanced stage. His condition had significantly affected his daily life. He was extremely weak and had difficulty moving and carrying out activities that had once been part of his normal routine.
Then came another serious complication.
After developing advanced cirrhosis, Khashaba was also diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — the most common type of primary liver cancer. HCC frequently develops in people whose livers have already been damaged by chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
Khashaba in the Organ Transplantation Department with his interpreter and the nurses overseeing his care.
This meant that he was facing two interconnected conditions: a severely damaged liver and liver cancer arising in that diseased liver.
For his family, the situation became increasingly urgent.
Searching for a Treatment Beyond Iraq
The doctors treating Uncle Khashaba in Iraq explained that his condition required liver transplantation. However, this treatment was not available to him in Iraq.
His family began searching for an alternative abroad and eventually found information about liver transplantation in Turkey.
They contacted Shafaq Medical and shared his medical records with the transplant team. His case was reviewed in detail, taking into consideration his advanced cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, overall health, and suitability for transplantation.
After the medical evaluation, the family decided to proceed with treatment in Turkey. There was another important decision to make. Khashaba’s son volunteered to become his living liver donor.
Liver Transplantation and the Road to Recovery
The transplant involved two operations taking place simultaneously: one for the donor and one for the recipient. Khashaba received a portion of his son’s healthy liver, replacing the diseased liver affected by advanced cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This type of surgery is known as living-donor liver transplantation. It allows a suitable living donor to provide a portion of their liver to a recipient who requires transplantation.
The liver has a remarkable regenerative capacity. Following donation, both the transplanted portion in the recipient and the remaining liver in the donor can grow and adapt over time, allowing both the father and son to recover after surgery.
A final photo with Khashaba during his last post-transplant check-up, before returning home to Iraq.
Khashaba remained in the hospital for 15 days following the transplant. His recovery marked a significant change from the condition he had experienced before surgery. After struggling with severe weakness and limited mobility, he gradually regained his strength and began moving again.
Once he was medically stable, he was discharged from the hospital and continued his recovery with follow-up care.
A New Chapter Back Home in Iraq
After completing his treatment and follow-up in Turkey, Khashaba returned home to Iraq to be with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Today, he is doing well and has returned to his daily life.
For a 70-year-old man who had been living with advanced liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation offered an opportunity to move beyond a condition that had severely restricted his life.
His journey also highlights the importance of evaluating the full medical picture when advanced liver disease and liver cancer occur together. In appropriately selected patients, liver transplantation can address both the underlying diseased liver and the liver tumor through replacement of the affected liver with a healthy graft.
For Khashaba and his family, the decision to keep searching for an available treatment option ultimately led them to Turkey — and to a new chapter in his life.
What does the service include? — Complete Steps
When you contact us, your journey begins with clear and organized steps:
We analyze your entire medical file with a team of specialist doctors — free of charge and without any obligation.
We determine your eligibility for treatment and explain the available options clearly and transparently.
If you have a living family donor, we evaluate their health status to ensure compatibility and safety.
We develop a clear treatment plan with full details of the cost — no surprises.
We handle hotel bookings, transfers, and all logistics so you travel with peace of mind.
Our team is with you at every appointment and medical decision — you won't be alone for a single moment.
Even after you return home, our team is available on WhatsApp for any questions or medical follow-up.
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