Pancreas Transplant
What is Pancreas Transplant ?
A pancreas transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy pancreas from a deceased donor into a person whose pancreas no longer functions properly. The pancreas is an organ that lies behind the lower part of the stomach. One of its main functions is to make insulin, a hormone that regulates the absorption of sugar into cells. If the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, blood sugar levels can rise to unhealthy levels, resulting in type 1 diabetes.
Most pancreas transplants are done to treat type 1 diabetes. A pancreas transplant offers a potential cure for this condition. But it’s typically reserved for those with serious complications of diabetes because the side effects of a pancreas transplant can be significant. In some cases, pancreas transplants may also treat type 2 diabetes. Rarely, pancreas transplants may be used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, bile duct cancer, or other cancers. A pancreas transplant is often done in conjunction with a kidney transplant in people whose kidneys have been damaged by diabetes.
Why it's done
A pancreas transplant can restore insulin production and improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes, but it’s not a standard treatment. The side effects of the anti-rejection medications required after a pancreas transplant can often be serious.
Doctors may consider a pancreas transplant for people with any of the following:
- Type 1 diabetes that cannot be controlled with standard treatment
- Frequent insulin reactions
- Consistently poor blood sugar control
- Severe kidney damage
- Type 2 diabetes is associated with both low insulin resistance and low insulin production
A pancreas transplant usually isn’t a treatment option for people with type 2 diabetes. That’s because type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or unable to use it properly, rather than due to a problem with insulin production by the pancreas. However, for some people with type 2 diabetes who have both low insulin resistance and low insulin production, a pancreas transplant may be a treatment option. About 15% of all pancreas transplants are performed in people with type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors
Pancreas transplant surgery carries a risk of significant complications, including blood clots, bleeding, infection, excess sugar in the blood, or other metabolic problems. Urinary complications, including leaking or urinary tract infections. Failure of the donated pancreas. Rejection of the donated pancreas. After a pancreas transplant, you’ll take medications for the rest of your life to help prevent your body from rejecting the donor pancreas. These anti-rejection medications can cause a variety of side effects, including bone thinning, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting, and sensitivity to sunlight. Other side effects may include puffiness, weight gain, swollen gums, acne, excessive hair growth, or loss. Anti-rejection drugs work by suppressing your immune system. These drugs also make it harder for your body to defend itself against infection and disease.
