Pancreas Transplant: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Pancreas Transplant?
A transplant surgeon, a surgeon who places donor organs into patients, does a pancreas transplant. A transplant team at a transplant center also checks whether you are a good candidate first. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a pancreas transplant?
A pancreas transplant is surgery to place a healthy pancreas from a donor into a person with a diseased pancreas. The pancreas is a gland behind the stomach and in front of the spine. It makes juices that help break down food and hormones that help control blood sugar levels.
The surgery is mostly done for people with severe type 1 diabetes. It can allow them to give up insulin shots. Because of the risks, it is not a common treatment for type 1 diabetes.
Symptoms
A pancreas transplant is a surgery, not a disease, so it treats the problems of diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas has lost the ability to make insulin. This causes glucose, a sugar, to build up in the blood. High blood sugar over a long time can cause many complications, including:
- Amputations, which means losing a limb.
- Disease of the arteries.
- Blindness.
- Heart disease.
- Kidney damage.
- Nerve damage.
- Stroke.
Causes and who gets it
A pancreas transplant is rarely done alone. It is almost always done when someone with type 1 diabetes also needs a kidney transplant. The surgery is not usually done in people who also have:
- A history of cancer.
- HIV/AIDS.
- An active infection, such as hepatitis.
- Lung disease.
- Obesity.
- Other blood vessel diseases of the neck and leg.
- Severe heart disease.
- Smoking, alcohol or drug use, or other habits that can harm the new organ.
A transplant is also not recommended if the person cannot keep up with the many follow-up visits, tests, and medicines.
How doctors diagnose it
First, your health care provider refers you to a transplant center. There, the transplant team checks that you are a good candidate. You will have several visits over several weeks or even months. You will need blood drawn and x-rays taken. Tests done before the surgery include:
- Tissue and blood typing, to help make sure your body will not reject the donated organs.
- Blood tests or skin tests to check for infections.
- Heart tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization.
- Tests to look for early cancer.
If the team thinks you are a good candidate, you are put on a national waiting list.
Treatment
Your own diseased pancreas is not removed during the operation. The donor pancreas is usually placed in the right lower part of your belly. Its blood vessels are attached to your blood vessels. The donor duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, is attached to your intestine or bladder. The surgery takes about 3 hours. A combined pancreas and kidney operation takes about 6 hours.
You will stay in the hospital for about 3 to 7 days or longer. After you go home, you need close follow-up and regular blood tests for 1 to 2 months or longer. You need check-ups with blood tests and imaging tests for many years. You must take medicines to keep your body from rejecting the new pancreas for the rest of your life.
Risks of pancreas transplant include:
- Clotting of the arteries or veins of the new pancreas.
- Certain cancers after a few years.
- Inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis.
- Leaking of fluid where the new pancreas attaches to the intestine or bladder.
- Rejection of the new pancreas.
When to see a doctor
While you wait for a transplant, tell your transplant team about changes in your medicines and any new or worsening medical problems. After a transplant, keep all follow-up visits so your team can watch for signs that your body is rejecting the new pancreas. Contact your transplant team if the new pancreas does not seem to be working properly, such as high blood sugar. Also contact them if you have pain or swelling near the new pancreas, fever, chills, body aches, or nausea, or side effects from your medicines. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing, fainting, or bleeding that will not stop. Also go if you have chest pain lasting two minutes or more.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can help you decide when to ask for a transplant center referral. They can also look after your general health between specialist visits.
Common questions
Can a pancreas transplant replace insulin shots?
Yes, it can allow people with severe type 1 diabetes to give up insulin shots. It is not a common treatment because of the risks.
How long does a pancreas transplant take?
The surgery takes about 3 hours. If it is done with a kidney transplant, the combined operation takes about 6 hours.
Do you need medicine after a pancreas transplant?
Yes, you must take medicines for the rest of your life to keep your body from rejecting the new pancreas. You also need regular follow-up care.
How well does a pancreas transplant work?
More than 95% of people survive the first year after a pancreas transplant. If the transplant works, you will no longer need insulin shots or daily blood sugar tests.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Pancreas Transplant
- MedlinePlus - Pancreas transplant (Medical Encyclopedia)
- MedlinePlus - Transplant rejection (Medical Encyclopedia)
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
