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Stage IV Colon Cancer Found Without Symptoms
13 Jun
Summary
- Amy Piccoli received a Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis with no prior symptoms.
- A rare liver transplant procedure offered a new chance at survival.
- The innovative treatment significantly increases survival rates for select patients.
In May 2024, Amy Piccoli of Los Angeles experienced a sudden and severe illness that led to an emergency room visit. Diagnostic scans revealed spots on her liver and a mass in her colon, ultimately diagnosed as Stage IV colon cancer. This diagnosis was particularly shocking as Piccoli, 39, had no symptoms and no family history of cancer. She began treatment in June 2024, adding immunotherapy to her regimen in July, which led to significant tumor shrinkage.
Because her liver tumors were inoperable, Piccoli pursued a cutting-edge liver transplant procedure. This treatment, available at only a few U.S. centers, has shown a dramatic increase in five-year survival rates, jumping from around 10% to up to 80% for carefully selected patients. Piccoli was deemed a suitable candidate and received a transplant from a living donor in December 2025.
Following the successful surgery in Chicago, Piccoli underwent a three-month recovery period. She is now adjusting to anti-rejection medications and attending regular scans to monitor for recurrence. This life-saving treatment has provided Piccoli with a fresh perspective and a "new lease on life" as she plans to spend the summer with her children.
