On trial for transplanting a cancerous kidney into patient Vincent Liew, Dr. Thomas Diflo attempted to argue yesterday that he was not to blame for Liew's death. Diflo says Liew was "adamant" that he keep the kidney, despite being told of the risks. Liew allegedly did not want to go back on dialysis. However, Dr. Diflo became offended at the suggestion that his statement blames Liew for the wrongful-death, saying in court, "I had great affection for Mr. Liew and his opinions. To even float the idea that I blamed him for his death is ridiculous."
Diflo allegedly learned the kidney's donor had uterine cancer two months after the transplant, and said he told Liew, "It would be extremely unusual for a man to get cancer of the uterus." He also claims the kidney appeared normal when it arrived for the transplant, though Liew's lawyer says it was covered in tumors. Liew's widow still insists that Diflo played down the risk of infection, and should have removed the kidney immediately.
Liew died of uterine cancer seven months after receiving the transplant, which had not been checked for cancer by the United Network for Organ Sharing. The donor had not been diagnosed with cancer until after her death, at which time her organs had been donated to several recipients.
