Patients like you may not know what information is available to help make important health decisions. The transplant journey begins with understanding your treatment options, including whether or not an organ transplant is a good option for you. The materials below are a place to start gathering information to discuss with your loved ones, health care team, and potential transplant center.
What to Expect
Organ transplant is typically considered when organ failure occurs, or when chronic conditions negatively impact organ function. Your medical needs, including the potential for seeking a transplant, may be complex and process may seem daunting. You have the option to visit a transplant center to learn more about becoming a transplant candidate on the waiting list, and the transplant center can help you find resources you need to navigate your journey as a transplant patient. However, depending on the organ type and other treatment options, a transplant may not be the only or best choice for you. It is important to explore all available options with your care team before making a decision. Factors like age, health status, potential risks, and organ transplant requirements all play a role in deciding if getting on the transplant waiting list is the right path to take.
The information about each step in the journey will depend on the organ type. Expand the section for the organ type to see more details about each step.
Considering Transplant:
Heart failure, the progression of certain heart diseases, or other chronic heart conditions can lead to needing a heart transplant. A new heart can only come from a deceased donor.
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Considering Transplant:
Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs. The need for a kidney transplant often stems from kidney disease and kidney failure as a result of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Considering Transplant:
Diagnoses of liver cancer and liver failure may make you eligible to get on the liver transplant waiting list.
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Considering Transplant:
Those with serious lung conditions with limited effective treatment options may be considered for a lung transplant. Such conditions often include (but are not limited to) cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Considering Transplant:
A pancreas transplant is commonly performed to treat complications from type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes in some scenarios. In addition, you may be eligible for a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant if you have kidney failure caused by type 1 diabetes.
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Considering Transplant:
Intestines transplants may be an option if you are experiencing intestine failure or intestine complications from disease or trauma.
The transplant journey should start with understanding your treatment options and what you can expect if you make different choices. Organ transplantation may be an option for you.
Patients may not know what information is available to help guide their journey. The questions below are a place to start gathering information to discuss with your care team.
The treatment options for heart failure include medications, heart transplant, mechanical assist devices. Managing with medication for as long as possible can include palliative care.
The longest heart transplants last several decades, but the time that a heart functions depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, height, VAD, and many others in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.
The outcomes for different heart disease treatment options will depend on the patient. Your doctor can help you understand what treatment options may be the right choice for you.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for the rest of your life. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for a heart transplant depend on many factors, including body size, blood type, geographic region, and antibodies that may limit donor matches. Average waiting times can be several weeks or several years or more depending on the severity of heart disease. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times are in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new personalized waiting time calculator.
A mechanical assist device may be used as an alternative to transplant or while a patient waits for a heart transplant. While a heart transplant may be a more favorable option for some patients, it might not be the best choice for everyone. Your doctor can help you understand the risks and benefits of each treatment option.
Having a heart transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to heart transplant may include heart rejection, coronary artery disease, failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
The treatment options for kidney failure include kidney transplant, dialysis (there are multiple types, including some you can do at home and some you do at a clinic), and also managing with medication for as long as possible which can include palliative care.
The longest working kidney transplants last several decades, but the time that a kidney functions and a person lives depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, years of dialysis, and many others in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.
Although the outcomes for different kidney disease treatment options will depend on the patient, kidney transplant will provide the best outcomes for most patients. Coming soon: watch for a new tool to compare transplant and dialysis outcomes.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for as long as your kidney is functioning. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for a kidney transplant depend on many factors, including blood type, geographic region, antibodies that may limit donor matches, and what kidney offers the center and patient are willing to accept. Average waiting times are several years or more, but average times will not apply to all candidates. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times up to 10 years are available in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new personalized waiting time calculator.
Unfortunately, a kidney transplant does not cure end stage kidney disease.
While a kidney transplant from a living or deceased donor can each result in very good outcomes, a kidney from a living donor will typically last longer. Your time spent waiting for a kidney is usually shorter if you have a living donor, so you are less likely to become too sick for a transplant.
It is possible to get a kidney transplant before organ failure. This type of transplant is called a preemptive kidney transplant.
Some causes of kidney disease can be reversed if caught early. Unfortunately, once kidney disease has reached a certain point, kidney failure cannot be reversed. However, there are steps you can take to slow disease progression.
Having a kidney transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to the kidney transplant may include issues with the ureter (connects the kidney to the bladder) or failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
The treatment options for liver failure include liver transplant, and also managing with medication for as long as possible which can include palliative care.
The longest liver transplants last several decades, but the time that a liver functions depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, MELD score, and many others in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for the rest of your life. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for a liver transplant depend on many factors, including blood type, disease severity, and geographic region. A transplant may happen within a few days for acute (sudden) liver failure. Average waiting times for chronic liver failure can be several months or several years or more depending on the severity of the disease. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times up to 10 years are in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new personalized waiting time calculator.
While a liver transplant from a living or deceased donor can each result in very good outcomes, a liver from a living donor may result in fewer complications after the transplant. Your time spent waiting for a liver may also be reduced if you have a living donor.
If liver disease is diagnosed in the early stages, it may be possible to reverse the damage with lifestyle changes. If liver disease isn’t detected until it has progressed significantly, the organ damage may not be reversible.
Having a liver transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to the liver transplant may include bile duct complications or failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
The treatment options for advanced lung disease include lung transplant, and also managing with medication for as long as possible which can include palliative care.
The longest lung transplants last a decade or more, but the time that a lung functions depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new long-term outcomes calculator.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for the rest of your life. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for a lung transplant depend on many factors, including body size, blood type, geographic region, and antibodies that may limit donor matches. Average waiting times can be several months or more than a year depending on the severity of lung disease. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times are in an interactive report. Coming soon: watch for a new personalized waiting time calculator.
While double lung transplants have shown to have better long-term survival outcomes, it may not be appropriate for you, depending on your circumstances.
Yes, you can live with only one lung and have a relatively normal life. However, you may experience fatigue and get short of breath more easily since your lung capacity is reduced. Rigorous activity may not be possible with one lung.
Having a lung transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to lung transplant may include airway blockages, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, or failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
The treatment options may include one of several organ transplant options or several alternatives. Organ transplant options may include a pancreas only transplant, both a kidney and pancreas transplant together or one after the other, or a pancreatic islet cell transplant. Alternatives may include insulin injections or other management with medication for as long as possible, which can include palliative care.
The longest pancreas transplants last several decades, but the time that a pancreas functions depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for the rest of your life. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for a pancreas transplant depend on many factors, including blood type, geographic region, and antibodies that may limit donor matches. Average waiting times are several years or more, but average times will not apply to all candidates. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times are in an interactive report.
Pancreas transplants are typically considered for those with severe diabetes cases, including kidney failure.
Having a pancreas transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to pancreas transplant may include pancreatitis, metabolic problems, or failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
Potential pancreas transplant risks may include organ transplant rejection, bleeding, infection, and side effects from immunosuppressant medications.
A simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant is an effective treatment for some patients with diabetes and kidney failure – many patients no longer need to undergo dialysis or insulin injections. However, pancreas transplant after a kidney transplant (PAK) may be a viable option.
The treatment options may include one of several organ transplant options or non-transplant alternatives. Organ transplant options may include the entire gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to large intestine, small bowel alone, liver and small bowel, or other organ combination. Alternatives may include intravenous feeding and management with medication for as long as possible, which can include palliative care.
The longest intestine transplants last a decade or more, but the time that an intestine functions depends on many factors related to the patient and organ donor. National and regional longer-term survival outcomes (up to 10 years) are available for specific patient characteristics, including age, race, height, and many others in an interactive report.
Your insurance coverage will determine out of pocket costs, but you should also consider the time you and your caregiver may be away from work. Make sure to ask about the cost of anti-rejection medications that will be required for the rest of your life. During the evaluation, your care team can answer your questions about costs and help you get information from your insurance provider.
Waiting times for an intestine transplant depend on many factors, including body size, blood type, geographic region, and antibodies that may limit donor matches. Average waiting times can be several months or several years depending on the severity of disease. You can use the center search page to find some information on waiting times from the "Full Report" link of each transplant center. This is shown as a percentage of candidates who are transplanted after different time points up to 3 years. National data showing how many candidates are transplanted at different times are in an interactive report.
Having an intestine transplant surgery has specific risks that include side effects from the immunosuppressive medications. Long term immunosuppressive medications may increase the risk of infections and cancer. Other risks related to an intestine transplant may include intestinal leaks or failure of the transplant. Potential risks also include the usual risks of surgery (bleeding, blood clots, wound infection).
Continue to read about more steps in the transplant journey.
See more about who plays a part in the journey and follow each step in the transplant system using the Interactive System Map.
Heart Transplants
Kidney Transplants
Liver Transplants
Lung Transplants
Pancreas Transplants
Intestine Transplants
Heart Transplants
Kidney Transplants
Liver Transplants
Lung Transplants
Pancreas Transplants
Intestine Transplants
