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.
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.
Text Size
Display
Heart Transplants
Kidney Transplants
Liver Transplants
Lung Transplants
Pancreas Transplants
Intestine Transplants
Heart Transplants
Kidney Transplants
Liver Transplants
Lung Transplants
Pancreas Transplants
Intestine Transplants
