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The national average for survival rates of kidney-pancreas transplants in adults is 95% still functioning well one year after the operation, and 92.5% at three years. For living donors, the best results are usually seen with a closely matched kidney from a living donor (usually from a sibling).

A pancreas transplant can cure diabetes and eliminate the need for shots. However, because of the risks involved with surgery, most people with type 1 diabetes do not have a pancreas transplant shortly after they are diagnosed. Pancreas transplant is rarely done alone.

Eligibility. Pancreas transplants aren't recommended for patients who can manage their diabetes through diet, medication and other means, since the procedure carries all the risks and recovery issues of major surgery, as well as the possibility that the body's immune system will reject the transplanted organ.

The results for a patient with diabetes can be vision loss, and nerve and damage to other organs, unless blood sugar is controlled using medication or the patient undergoes a pancreas transplant. "A pancreas transplant is the only cure for diabetes.

A pancreas transplant is a treatment option for some patients who have major complications from their diabetes. This includes kidney failure or serious problems with low blood sugars ('hypos'). Most patients with -treated diabetes do not need a pancreas transplant.

A pancreas transplant does not cure diabetes, but it can slow down its effects and improve some issues. A successful pancreas transplant can slow down the effect of the damage that diabetes has caused to your eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. Occasionally, nerve and eye changes due to diabetes can improve.

A living donor kidney functions, on average, 12 to 20 years, and a deceased donor kidney from 8 to 12 years. Patients who get a kidney transplant before dialysis live an average of 10 to 15 years longer than if they stayed on dialysis.