Which statement best describes the expected outcome of a lung transplant in a child with cystic fibrosis?

• A. The transplant will cure CF and allow a long life.
• B. The transplant will not cure CF but will allow a longer life.
• C. The transplant will help reverse multisystem damage.
• D. The transplant will be the child's only chance at surviving long enough to graduate college.

Answer: (B)

A lung transplant in cystic fibrosis is a life-extending therapy rather than a cure. Replacing the diseased lungs can significantly improve breathing and survival, but the underlying genetic disease remains and can continue to affect other organs such as the pancreas, liver, and bones. Because CF is a multisystem condition, a lung transplant does not reverse existing damage outside the lungs, and it requires lifelong immunosuppression with risks of infection and rejection. So the best description is that the transplant will not cure CF but will allow a longer life.