Diabetic cured, pancreas transplanted

[Dan Gato]

I heard on TV that a diabetic was cured, by having a pancreas transplanted.

For a Type 1, what are the advantages & disavantages of getting a new pancreas?
Is the cost so expensive, that some insurance companies won't cover it?
Is the risk of this major procedure worth it?

Thanks

[Cyborg]

I believe they usually transplant kidneys and pancreas together. The downside is the anti-rejection drugs which can be hard on the immune system...

[JediSkipdogg]

The major problem is the pancreas is one of the #1 rejected organs in a transplant. Therefore it's rarely done for that cause. Therefore they do what is known as islet cell transplants. However, the cost is still high on that and multiple transplants are generally required. The other problem is the anti-rejection drugs may cause other problems for the body since many have high side effects.

Lastly, there is no guarantee the procedure will work. I think the first group was done about 5-6 years ago (I may be wrong) but I know they only have ONE successful person past 5 years. Therefore you end up back where you were in the first place and start the turmoil all over again.

There's a member on here, parrotlezoo that had it done. She has to make trips from Michigan to Chicago quite often (I assume at her expense) to see the doctor there. I believe they (Chicago) is the only place doing this procedure at this time and they don't accept just anyone. Parrot can explain more on the procedure.

[parrotletzoo]

there are around 30 centers in north america doing islet transplants. UIC in chicago is just one in the chicago area. Citr (collaborative islet transplant registry) has a list of current transplant centers in north american doing islet transplants as well as stats on the procedure.

https://web.emmes.com/study/isl/

check out the roster if you want a list of centers.

[lilituc]

I have heard (from someone had had one) that they longest they generally expect out of one is 10 years. Insurance companies usually won't cover just the pancreas transplant, only pancreas and kidney.

[ClaireZk]

I don't want to be a downer, I think that its GREAT that it worked for someone, but my concern is that if my immune system attacked my old islet cells, it would attack the new ones too.
And Cyborg and Jedi are right, anti-rejection = NASTY

[Dan Gato]

[QUOTE=parrotletzoo;198369]there are around 30 centers in north america doing islet transplants. UIC in chicago is just one in the chicago area. Citr (collaborative islet transplant registry) has a list of current transplant centers in north american doing islet transplants as well as stats on the procedure.

Parrot, Do you have any updates,
Are you still very satisfied with your islet transplants?

[DeusXM]

Surely though pancreas transplants are only of use in the treatment of T1? In T2 the problem isn't a lack of insulin production, it's an inability to properly use the insulin produced.

[Funnygrl]

I work on a pancreas transplant floor at a hospital, and would NOT recommend it based on what I have seen so far.

[JediSkipdogg]

Surely though pancreas transplants are only of use in the treatment of T1?

Correct. And I still think the longest time anyone has succeeded any form of pancreas transplant (whether full transplant or islet cells only) is around 5 years and that's only one individual. Most don't last 3 years before they start having recurring symptons of the diabetes coming back and needing to go back on insulin again.

I even still think parrot said she still runs high at times and watches what she eats on occasion. I could be slightly wrong on that though.

[sleepy_hound]

Interestingly enough, I had this similar conversation with my endo last week! The pancreas shares a blood supply with the liver, and when the liver is needed in a transplant, the pancreas gets severed a lot of times, so there is a decrease in available pancreii (is that a word?). Also, I'd hate to have just a pancreas transplant and then risk rejection or worse, lymphoma, as a side effect of long term immunosuppression.

[notme]

I have a friend that lives here in CA that had a kidney/pancreas transplant. She was on dialysis at the time of the transplant. Her kidneys were replaced first and then several months later they did the pancreas. So far, so good. She is many years out from the surgery and her pancreas is still fully functioning. She did get an illness while traveling and almost lost her kidney, but it recouped and she is doing well.

I am afraid to admit that I have pancreas envy. :o