Pancreas, Islet and Stem Cell Transplantation for Diabetes

Pancreas transplantation has rapidly moved from an experimental procedure associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality to a mainstream technique with excellent patient and graft survival. Over 30,000 pancreas transplants have already been performed. The value of pancreas transplantation however must be balanced against the risk of the operative procedure and the innovative long-term immunosuppressive therapy. The indications for this procedure and the selection of the patients are critical to ensure low mortality and any improvements in quality of life. This second edition reflects recent advances in the field, especially the increasing number of islet transplantations and the growing interest in stem cell research applicable to this condition. It provides an authoritative account on the current status of the whole organ pancreas transplantation and islet and pancreatic stem cell transplantation.