Pancreas Transplant Program at Columbia
Who We Treat | Highlights | Team | Locations | Appointment
If you are living with severe complications from type 1 diabetes, a pancreas transplant may be an option to restore insulin production and help you lead a healthier, more active life. The Pancreas Transplantation Program at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian is the region's leading center for this life-changing surgery, with a world-class multidisciplinary team of specialists working together to provide the best outcomes.
To learn more about our program or to schedule a consultation, please contact the Pancreas Transplantation Program at Columbia at (212) 305-6469 or sign up with our online request form.
Who We Treat
Who is Eligible for a Pancreas Transplant?
A pancreas transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy pancreas from a deceased person to allow the body to produce insulin. The original pancreas is usually left in place to aid with digestion. The transplanted pancreas allows your body to control blood sugar levels without the need for insulin injections, effectively curing your type 1 diabetes.
Because diabetes can typically be managed with insulin and medications, a pancreas transplant is only considered for very specific scenarios where traditional treatments are not effective. Most pancreas transplants are performed to treat type 1 diabetes with kidney failure. A transplant may be considered for other chronic conditions, including:
- "Brittle" diabetes - also known as unstable diabetes or labile diabetes, this condition is characterized by wide swings in blood sugar, despite strict adherence to medication and dietary restrictions.
- Hypoglycemic unawareness - People with hypoglycemic unawareness can’t tell when their blood sugar levels have dropped, and don’t know to take steps to correct it. This can lead to fainting, coma, or even death.
- Type 2 diabetes - A transplant may be appropriate for treating people with type 2 diabetes with low insulin resistance and low insulin production.
Learn More About How Pancreas Transplantation Can Help With These Chronic Conditions
Pancreas and Kidney Transplant
Diabetes can damage other organs, such as the kidneys. A pancreas transplant is often performed in patients that have already received a kidney transplant, or may be performed along with the pancreas transplant. Because the recipient will already need to take immunosuppressive drugs for their kidney transplant, the impact of the pancreas transplant is reduced.
Services We Offer
- Pancreas transplantation alone
- Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation
- Pancreas after kidney transplantation
Learn More About the Pancreas Transplantation Procedure
Program Highlights
Advanced Surgical Skill
Columbia has helped drive innovation for pancreas surgery for decades, and we continue to push the field forward to refine techniques and improve outcomes.
Major Center for Transplantation
Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian is an established national leader in pancreas transplantation. Our experience with multi-organ transplants and complex cases is unmatched in the New York City area.
Multidisciplinary Team
Our pancreas transplant team leverages the skill and experience of specialists across Columbia, including transplant surgeons, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, and nephrologists.
Our Team
Our Locations
Presbyterian Hospital Building, 14th Floor
622 West 168th St.
New York, NY 10032
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Make an Appointment
If you’ve been living with type 1 diabetes and are experiencing severe symptoms that don’t respond to medical therapies, a pancreas transplant may help you get your blood sugar under control. If you’d like to learn if a pancreas transplant is right for you or your loved one, please contact the Pancreas Transplantation Program at Columbia at (212) 305-6469 or complete our online request form. We accept a number of insurance plans, and our team can help confirm your coverage.