Why is it not possible to have a pancreas transplant?

It's possible: But there are strict criteria as to who would benefit. Talk to a diabetologist.

Heart disease: A pancreas transplant cures diabetes at the risk of major surgery and long term immunosuppression. If diabetes is not advanced, this is not worth the risk. If you need a kidney transplant anyway then a pancreas transplant does not add much risk. The main risks of these operations is related to the presence of heart disease or hardening of the arteries.

Pancreas transplant: There are two common indications for a pancreas transplant: 1. A commitment to lifelong immunosuppresion for another organ transplant in a type 1 diabetic (usually a kidney for diabetic nephrology, but liver and lung have been done as well) or 2. Very poorly controlled type 1 diabetes despite optimized medical care. This usually requires documented episodes of hypoglycemia unawareness.

It is possible: Pancreas transplants can be done alone, part of a multi-organ transplant, or as an islet cell transplant. There are many factors involved in the determination as to which type if any is appropriate.

Yes: In the us over 1000 were done last year. About 800 are combined with a kidney transplant in those diabetics that also have kidney failure.

Pancreas transplant: There are two common indications for a pancreas transplant: 1. A commitment to lifelong immunosuppresion for another organ transplant in a type 1 diabetic (usually a kidney for diabetic nephrology, but liver and lung have been done as well) or 2. Very poorly controlled type 1 diabetes despite optimized medical care. This usually requires documented episodes of hypoglycemia unawareness.

Yes: Usually along with a kidney for diabetic nephropathy leading to need for dialysis.

Yes, for diabetes: Pancreas transplants are done for type 1 diabetes (rarely for type 2) that has caused kidney failure, or causes unawareness of hypoglycemia. Few good quality organs are available and the risks are greater than for a kidney transplant. So, only about 1000 are performed each year in the us. The purpose of the txp is to normalize blood sugar without the need to use insulin.

Yes: Hi. Yes, it is. They generally only do them when they're also doing a kidney transplant for kidney failure from diabetic kidney disease, although that standard is shifting some. Transplants require immunosupression, which most docs will tell you is a boat load worse than taking insulin shots. To your health!