A young woman is cancer-free after undergoing the UK’s first liver transplant for advanced bowel cancer. Bianca Perea, a 32-year-old trainee lawyer from Manchester, received the groundbreaking surgery over the summer, which has marked her as the first patient to achieve this milestone procedure.
The operation was deemed necessary after Bianca was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, a formidable stage characterized by its spread to the liver. Diagnosed when she was just 29, Bianca recalls the shocking moment when doctors delivered the news back in November 2021. "I actually didn’t have really bad symptoms at all. I’d noticed changes in my bowel habits and some bloated feelings," she explained, reflecting on the symptoms which led her to seek medical assistance.
After her GP appointment, high levels of blood detected through tests prompted doctors to conduct additional examinations, including colonoscopy and biopsy. The dire prognosis outlined by the doctor was hard to process. "He said, 'We are looking at prolonging your life rather than a cure'... I just didn’t feel in my gut this was going to be it," she recounted.
Bianca’s spirit to fight was unwavering, and she was determined to explore all options. Following the initial treatment protocol, which included 37 rounds of targeted drug therapy with panitumumab alongside two-and-a-half years of chemotherapy, progress was made. By May 2023, she was prepared for surgery to remove her bowel tumor, but her struggle was far from over; scans revealed persistent, inoperable tumors remained within her liver.
Despite this setback, doctors reviewed Bianca’s remarkable response to treatment and decided to pursue the idea of a liver transplant, which had not been previously viable for individuals with advanced bowel cancer. "Thanks to the generosity of organ donors and their loved ones, we can now access liver transplants for some patients, which is fantastic,” noted Dr. Kalena Marti, Bianca’s oncologist.
After being placed on the transplant list in February 2024, she was fortunate enough to find a donor. The operation at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust went smoothly, and within just four weeks post-surgery, Bianca felt her life transforming. "I was able to drive and walk the family dogs, it was really quite incredible. To go from being told I’d only have a short time to live to now being cancer-free is the greatest gift. I feel I’ve been granted a second chance, and I’m going to grab it with both hands," she asserted, her gratitude toward the liver donor's family evident.
Current testing indicates no active cancer cells, heightening hope for the future. "When we looked at the tumour cells in her liver after it had been removed, they weren’t active. This is excellent news, and we hope this means the cancer won’t come back," Dr. Marti added. The positive news surrounding Bianca's outcome highlights not only the progress made but also the importance of developing new treatments for advanced bowel cancer.
Dr. Ian Rowe, honorary consultant hepatologist, emphasized the significance of this operation being performed successfully. "We are indebted to the family of the organ donor. This case underlines how organ donation saves lives. It’s imperative for individuals to register their donation intentions and discuss it with their family members."
Now cancer-free, Bianca is focusing on rebuilding her life. Plans for the immediate future include working on her fitness and even contemplating her first holiday since her ordeal began. "I just had my second scan, and it’s all clear; my liver is doing really well," she shared enthusiastically. "This whole experience has instilled within me the value of life, and I intend to make the most of it. Living with hope is the least I can do for the gift I’ve been granted."