Mom with no symptoms had stage 4 colorectal cancer — and a rare surgery saved her life

A Los Angeles mother's unexpected stage 4 cancer diagnosis led to an uncommon liver transplant, offering new hope for select colorectal cancer patients.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:34pm

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A 39-year-old Los Angeles mother of three, Amy Piccioli, was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer despite having no symptoms. After undergoing chemotherapy and surgery, Piccioli found herself in need of a liver transplant, as the cancer had spread throughout her liver. She became the first person at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago to receive a living donor liver transplant for metastatic colon cancer, a procedure more common in Europe than the U.S. Piccioli's lifelong friend Lauren Prior was a match and donated part of her liver. Three months after the transplant, Piccioli is recovering well and has no evidence of remaining cancer.

Why it matters

Early-onset colorectal cancer is often "silent," with subtle symptoms that can delay diagnosis until the disease has progressed. Piccioli's case highlights the importance of regular cancer screenings, even for those without obvious symptoms. Her successful liver transplant also demonstrates that this procedure, while rare in the U.S., can offer a potential cure for select colorectal cancer patients whose cancer has spread to the liver.

The details

Piccioli began undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy in June 2024 after her stage 4 diagnosis. The chemo shrank her tumors, allowing for surgery to remove a tumor from her colon. However, the cancer had spread throughout her liver, making a standard liver resection impossible. Doctors at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago determined that a liver transplant was Piccioli's best chance at long-term survival. She found a match in her lifelong friend Lauren Prior, who donated part of her liver in December 2025. Piccioli is the first person at Northwestern to receive a living donor liver transplant for metastatic colorectal cancer.

  • In June 2024, Piccioli began undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
  • In September 2024, scans showed the chemo had shrunk Piccioli's tumors.
  • In December 2025, Piccioli underwent a living donor liver transplant at Northwestern Medicine.
  • Three months after the transplant, in March 2026, Piccioli had her first post-transplant blood screening and had no evidence of remaining cancer.

The players

Amy Piccioli

A 39-year-old Los Angeles mother of three who was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer despite having no symptoms.

Lauren Prior

Piccioli's lifelong childhood friend who underwent screening and was deemed a match to donate part of her liver for Piccioli's transplant.

Satish Nadig, MD, PhD

A transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, who oversaw Piccioli's liver transplant procedure.

Northwestern Medicine

A healthcare system in Chicago that offers a liver transplantation program specifically for metastatic colorectal cancer patients.

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What they’re saying

“I had no symptoms. I'm one of those people who's very diligent about my health and very cognizant about changes in my body. So for this to have happened without any signs or symptoms was just shocking to me.”

— Amy Piccioli

“Response to chemotherapy is a critical gatekeeper for liver transplantation in colorectal liver metastases. Demonstrated disease control or response is usually required, as it identifies patients whose tumor biology (less aggressive and not spreading quickly) is favorable enough to justify a transplant.”

— Satish Nadig, MD, PhD, Transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center

What’s next

Piccioli will remain in Chicago for ongoing monitoring and screening until the end of March, when she will return home to Los Angeles.

The takeaway

Piccioli's case highlights the importance of regular cancer screenings, even for those without obvious symptoms, as early-onset colorectal cancer can often be "silent." Her successful liver transplant also demonstrates that this procedure, while rare in the U.S., can offer a potential cure for select colorectal cancer patients whose cancer has spread to the liver.