Princess Mette-Marit of Norway underwent a lung transplant to treat a progressive lung disease called chronic pulmonary fibrosis.
According to a statement released by the royal family on June 17, Mette-Marit’s transplant surgery at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet was successful.
“We are pleased that everything has gone well so far,” Aare Holm, professor of medicine at the university and senior consultant and pulmonologist at Rikshospitalet, said in a statement. Holm added that the 52-year-old princess will remain in hospital for several weeks, which is “standard practice for all patients who have recently undergone a transplant.”
What is pulmonary fibrosis?
According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that worsens over time and occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.
“When this tissue becomes thick and hard, it becomes difficult for the lungs to function properly,” the clinic added.
The clinic says lung damage caused by pulmonary fibrosis cannot be repaired. Medications and therapies can slow the rate of fibrosis, alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, but lung transplantation may be an option for some people, the clinic added.
Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis
According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include:
- shortness of breath
- take short, shallow breaths
- dry cough
- fatigue
- weight loss
- club-shaped fingers
- bluish, gray or white skin around the lips, eyes, and nails
What causes pulmonary fibrosis?
In most cases, the specific cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, but experts believe it occurs when the lungs are not healing properly from injury or inflammation, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
Specific causes include environmental exposures, certain illnesses, medications and treatments, and smoking, the clinic added.
How long can you live with pulmonary fibrosis?
“Life expectancy for people with the most common form of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is three to five years,” notes the Cleveland Clinic. “However, the life expectancy of people with PF has increased in recent years.”
The royal family said in a statement on June 5 that the princess had been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant, calling her chronic lung disease “serious” and “life-threatening.”
Lung transplants can improve quality of life and help people live longer, but the surgery can come with complications such as rejection and infection, the Mayo Clinic added. Both clinics advise that it’s important to discuss the best treatment options with your doctor.
