A Los Angeles mother of three, Amy Piccioli, received a lifesaving liver transplant at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer that had spread to her liver, according to a March 12 announcement. Piccioli, who was 39 when first diagnosed in May 2024, said she had no symptoms and no family history of the disease.
The case highlights a growing trend of colorectal cancer affecting younger adults under age 50 and often presenting at advanced stages. For patients like Piccioli whose cancer is confined to the liver, new advances in transplant oncology are providing options that were not available a decade ago.
Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, said, “Because transplant for colorectal liver metastases is still so new and offered at only a handful of centers, it’s not yet on the radar for every clinician and patient. Amy was fortunate because her team in California recognized that possibility and sent her our way. Patients who meet the criteria should hear about transplant early enough in their journey to benefit from it.”
After chemotherapy shrank her tumors enough for transplantation to be considered, Piccioli traveled to Chicago where she was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Zachary Dietch, MD, transplant surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, said: “For patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases, chemotherapy alone historically results in a 10% five‑year survival. But in carefully selected patients who undergo liver transplantation, five‑year survival can reach 60% to 80%, and some patients achieve long‑term cure.”
Piccioli’s living donor turned out to be Lauren Prior—a longtime family friend from Chicago—who matched as a donor after responding to Piccioli’s call for help. The surgery took place on Dec. 17, 2025; both women are recovering well and recent tests show no evidence of disease.
Andres Duarte‑Rojo, MD, section chief of hepatology and director of liver transplant at Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center said: “We only enroll patients in whom we believe we can completely eradicate the cancer… The timing of chemotherapy, imaging, liver‑directed therapy and transplant must be planned precisely. That orchestration is the strength of our program.”
Northwestern Medicine has launched programs such as CLEAR to expand access to transplants for metastatic cancers like Piccioli’s. Nadig said: “Liver transplantation for colorectal cancer is still in its infancy but the impact is undeniable… Our goal is to expand awareness so patients and physicians know this option exists.”
Northwestern Medicine recognizes community contributions through humanitarian awards that reflect values of compassion and impact according to the official website. The health system also receives national recognition for programs supporting physician well-being and humanitarian awards honoring community service according to the official website. It operates under its parent organization Northwestern Memorial HealthCare according to the official website.
The institution aims to provide world-class care through a mission focused on patient care, education and research according to the official website. Howard B. Chrisman holds the role of president and chief executive officer for Northwestern Medicine according to the official website. The health system also engages in strategic collaborations aimed at advancing clinical research and education according to the official website.
