Pancreas Transplant, Type 1 Diabetes "Cure"

Type 1 diabetes has no cure. Pancreas Transplant is the closest you can get for the "cure" of Type 1 diabetes. However, this form of organ transplantation is risky to the life of the recipient. Rejection of the new pancreas is one of the risk the Type 1 diabetic has to deal with.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pancreas Transplant

Finding the donor- Pancreas should be healthy. The healthy pancreas is normally taken from a healthy individual who has died. The donor can also be a living donor who wanted to donate a part of his healthy pancreas.

The pancreas is an important organ necessary in the digestive process. When transplanting an organ, the pancreas of the recipient is left intact. The donated organ is transplanted in another location. In case the new pancreas is rejected, removing the organ will not threatened the life of the recipient. The pancreas of the recipient will continue to function after the removal of the new organ.


Success In Pancreas Transplant

Some hospital claimed that 95% of their pancreas transplants are alive after the first year of organ transplantation. A long term success has been attained and the risk has been reduced. About 80 to 85% of transplanted organs are fully functional.

The downside of this procedure is the requirement for the recipient to take medication throughout his life. His immune system has been weakened and medication is needed to fight against infections and other types of diseases.

Cure of Type 1 diabetes in the future

More research and trial studies to cure diabetes are on-going projects. With the advances in technology, a cure for Type 1 diabetes will soon be realized.

To your health,
Alma