Bianca Perea, a 32-year-old trainee lawyer from Manchester, has achieved a significant medical milestone by becoming cancer-free after undergoing the UK's first liver transplant for advanced bowel cancer. Diagnosed with the most advanced stage of bowel cancer in November 2021, Perea was initially told that the goal of her treatment would be to prolong her life rather than find a cure.
Perea's journey began when she visited her GP in Wigan due to symptoms of constipation and bloating. Following a series of tests, including a colonoscopy and biopsy, she was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer that had spread to all eight segments of her liver. Despite the grim prognosis, Perea remained hopeful and pursued various treatments, including targeted drug therapy with panitumumab, chemotherapy, and surgery to remove the bowel tumor in May 2023.
Despite the successful removal of the bowel tumor, scans revealed that Perea still had tumors in her liver that were inoperable. However, her positive response to chemotherapy and the absence of bowel cancer led doctors to consider a liver transplant. Perea was added to the transplant list in February 2024 and received a donor liver later that year.
Remarkably, Perea was able to drive and walk her family dogs within four weeks of the transplant surgery. She expressed her gratitude for the second chance at life and her belief in the transplant as a cure for her condition. Perea's oncologist, Dr. Kalena Marti, highlighted the significance of her positive outcome and the importance of continuing to develop new treatments for advanced bowel cancer. Perea now looks forward to improving her fitness and going on holiday, celebrating her newfound health and the generosity of organ donors.
