- Specialized expertise in treatments for noncancerous pancreatic disorders, including islet cell autotransplantation. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced techniques using the latest procedures and technologies to make islet cell autotransplantation safe and effective. Go to Treatments
- Clinical trials that offer early access to promising therapies and new treatments available only at Stanford Health Care. Go to Clinical Trials
- A multispecialty team of gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, surgeons, radiologists, and cellular therapy specialists that works together seamlessly to achieve the best possible outcomes. Go to Your Care Team
- Comprehensive support services to help you, your family, and your support network focus on health and healing. Go to Support Services
- Ease of access to the services you need with navigators to guide you and follow-up care available right in your community. Go to Connecting to Care
Conditions Treated
Islet cell autotransplantation (also called autologous islet transplantation) is a treatment for people who have their entire pancreas removed (total pancreatectomy) due to chronic pancreatitis.
In chronic pancreatitis, inflammation and scarring of the pancreas cause severe digestive symptoms and pain. Our Benign Pancreas Program offers a range of therapies to help manage these symptoms, including:
- Nutritional counseling and management
- Pain management
- Surgical and endoscopic treatments
- Prevention and management of future complications
These treatments can be very effective, but some people continue to experience debilitating pain. In these cases, removal of the pancreas by surgery may be the best option.
One of the main functions of your pancreas is to produce insulin that helps control your blood sugar. Removing the pancreas causes diabetes that can be difficult to manage, requiring careful blood sugar monitoring and insulin injections.
After pancreatectomy, islet cell autotransplantation may prevent diabetes or reduce the need for insulin injections. Our team of specialists is among the few in the U.S. to offer this leading-edge procedure.
Our multidisciplinary team provides a full spectrum of care before, during, and after islet cell autotransplantation.
At Stanford Health Care, we focus care on you and your needs. We bring together a wide range of specialists to work together on your behalf. Your team draws upon their extensive experience and today’s innovations to determine the right treatment path for you.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- Our researchers are developing new strategies to increase the longevity of transplanted islets. One procedure manipulates your islet cells to form smaller clusters of islets, which survive longer and may produce more insulin.
- We are investigating the use of islets from a donor (allogeneic islet transplantation). Because these cells come from another person, your immune system may attack them. Our research aims to improve immune system tolerance of these foreign cells.
Understanding Islet Cell Autotransplantation
Islet cell autotransplantation involves separating islets from your pancreas after it’s removed and transplanting them into your liver. Islet cells in your pancreas produce hormones, including insulin. Once transplanted, the islets continue to produce insulin that helps control your blood sugar.
Pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation are not right for everyone. Our team meets routinely to review cases. In general, people with early chronic pancreatitis who have persistent pain may have the best success with transplantation. Some genetic forms of chronic pancreatitis are also linked to pancreatic cancer, so pancreatectomy has the added benefit of eliminating this risk.
Our team also works together to determine the best time to perform the procedure during the course of the disease. We time surgery so that patients:
- Have had a chance to try less invasive treatments first
- Still have adequate healthy islet cells to transplant
Pancreatectomy involves removing your pancreas, gallbladder, portions of your stomach and small intestine, and spleen (when needed). Your surgeon reconstructs your digestive tract and reroutes the bile duct, which drains bile from your liver to your intestine.
After removal, the team sends your pancreas to a laboratory to isolate the islets and prepare them for transplantation. Once processed, the islets are infused into the largest vein in your liver. There, the islets implant and eventually start to make insulin.
Following surgery, you spend about a week in the hospital. You leave the hospital with a device that monitors your blood sugar levels continuously.
Over the next three months, our endocrinology team performs frequent blood tests to find out whether the islets are working as they should.
Islet cell autotransplantation lowers your risk of developing diabetes after pancreatectomy. That means you may not need any external insulin. If you do develop diabetes, it is typically much easier to manage than diabetes that occurs after a pancreatectomy without islet transplantation.
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
We emphasize a team approach to ensure the best possible care. You’ll benefit from a team of specialists who are leaders in gastroenterology, endocrinology, and transplant medicine.
Our extended care team works together to provide support for all your physical and emotional needs and improve your well-being.
Your Doctors
Gastroenterologist/Pancreatologist
Gastroenterologists specialize in diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Our gastroenterologists have extensive training and experience managing a broad range of GI conditions. Many also have subspecialty expertise in complex disorders, including pancreatic disorders (pancreatologists). These medical doctors diagnose, treat, and manage conditions of the pancreas.
View All {0} GastroenterologistsEndocrinologist
Endocrinologists diagnose and treat diseases that affect the endocrine system. Your endocrine system includes a wide range of hormone-producing glands and organs. Endocrinologists understand the complex role hormones play in regulating bodily processes and how to manage endocrine problems.
View All {0} EndocrinologistsSurgeon
Our surgeons specialize in treating pancreatic disorders and transplantation surgery.
View All {0} SurgeonsAdvanced Practice Provider
Our skilled physician assistants and nurse practitioners specialize in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal conditions, including pancreatic disorders. With guidance and supervision by physicians on our team, they can see patients independently and facilitate access to timely care.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider DoctorsExtended Care Team
Interventional Radiologist
A radiologist specializes in imaging technologies, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT, and MRI. These doctors interpret imaging results to detect, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions, with specialty expertise in the pancreas. Interventional radiologists have high-level training to perform image-guided biopsies and procedures.
View All {0} Interventional RadiologistsCare Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistants: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient care coordinators: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and guide you throughout care.
- Patient Access Representatives: Patient access representatives can answer all your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Research Coordinators
Doctors at Stanford Medicine Cancer Center participate in research efforts to advance the understanding of chronic pancreatitis and its treatment. Research coordinators help screen candidates for possible participation in clinical research trials.
Support Services
In addition to caring for your physical health, we also focus on managing your emotional health. We offer you and your loved ones exercise and meditation classes, support groups, and other services to help with self-care during your treatment and recovery process.
We strive to make access to care as simple as possible. User-friendly virtual health tools and video appointments help you stay connected with your care team from home. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, international travel, and translation services. We make it easy for you to get the care you deserve. Our team guides you through each step, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
Accessing care at Stanford Health Care is easy and convenient. We make every effort to coordinate your appointments so that you can see multiple providers, as needed, during a single visit. We guide you through the process, working with you to schedule treatments, arrange follow-up appointments, and resolve your concerns.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
To make an appointment with an autologous islet transplantation specialist, call 650-736-5555.