Islamabad:In what can only be described as a miracle born out of medical brilliance and unwavering love, a young woman from Karachi is now living a full, cancer-free life—thanks to a historic surgery where her entire liver, destroyed by colorectal cancer spread to liver, was removed and replaced with a portion of her husband’s liver.
This life-saving transplant, carried out at Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, marks Pakistan’s first-ever successful living donor liver transplant for colorectal liver metastasis, a procedure previously considered out of reach for such advanced cancer patients.
Her journey is one of unimaginable pain, persistence, and ultimately, a miracle of love and science. Initially diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the sigmoid part of the large intestine, the cancer aggressively spread to the liver.
The young woman underwent a right hepatectomy under the care of renowned transplant surgeon Dr. Abu Bakar Hafeez Bhatti. It was a major procedure, removing a large portion of her liver in an effort to curb the disease. But ten months later, the cancer returned.
With fierce determination, the medical team conducted another liver surgery, but the disease proved relentless. Eleven months later, the cancer re-emerged in the liver once again. By this time, multiple liver resections and rounds of systemic chemotherapy had already been exhausted. The cancer was no longer resectable through conventional surgery—but crucially, it remained confined to the liver.
At this critical juncture, Dr. Abu Bakar Hafeez Bhatti and his team at Shifa International Hospital decided to take a bold step. They proposed a total liver removal, followed by a living donor liver transplant—something never before attempted in Pakistan for colorectal liver metastasis.
The patient’s husband stepped forward as the donor, offering the left lobe of his liver in a decision that would change both their lives. “This was an incredibly challenging case,” said Dr. Bhatti. “The disease had returned despite multiple surgeries and chemotherapy. However, since it hadn’t spread beyond the liver, we knew a curative transplant could still be possible.”
The multidisciplinary team employed advanced imaging, rigorous donor evaluation, and careful patient selection to plan the transplant. The surgery involved completely removing the woman’s entire liver, involved by cancer, and replacing it with a portion of her husband’s healthy liver. Despite the complexity and high risk, the transplant was successful.
According to Dr. Bhatti, this case represents a historic achievement in Pakistan’s transplant and oncology landscape. “It’s the first time such a transplant has been performed in the country for colorectal liver metastasis using a living donor. It is a bold but evidence-supported approach, practiced in only a few international centers.”
The patient has now been disease-free for two years, demonstrating excellent post-transplant quality of life. She continues regular follow-up and surveillance, showing no signs of recurrence.
Medical experts say the case is not only a surgical milestone but also a symbol of hope for cancer patients with advanced disease. It challenges long-held assumptions about treatment limitations and opens new possibilities for individuals who once had no curative options.
Dr. Bhatti emphasized that such outcomes require more than just technical skill—they demand innovation, teamwork, and compassion. “It’s not just science—it’s about understanding the human story behind every patient. This woman fought courageously, and her husband’s sacrifice is truly extraordinary.”
As liver cancer and colorectal metastases continue to rise in Pakistan, this case offers an inspiring example of how far the country’s medical capabilities have come. It highlights the need for early detection, investment in advanced surgical services, and awareness about the potential of transplantation in cancer care.
Today, the woman lives not just on advanced medical science, but also on the gift of life from the man who stood beside her through every battle—her husband.