Examples of pancreas

• Dissemination may occur to multiple organs including the skin, oesophagus, liver, lungs, adrenal glands, pancreas, bowel, kidneys, bone marrow and joints.

• Two fetuses had a pancreas of half normal size which lacked any inferior lobe.

• There is evidence t o show that pancreas transplantation will improve autonomic neuropathy, in addition to its beneficial effects on normalising blood glucose.

• There is a chronic shortage of human pancreas tissue suitable for either whole pancreas or islet transplantation.

• Figure 2 shows the technique that is currently used for the production of islets from human cadaveric pancreas.

• In summary, the supply of human pancreases and/or islets must increase if this technique is to meet the needs of this patient group worldwide.

• Transplantation of pancreas and lungs has recently been assessed under this program, and coverage decisions have recently been made.

• It also plays a role in b-cell differentiation, pancreas development and glucose homeostasis.