How a Patient with Liver Cancer Found Lifesaving Options

When Ricardo Navarro was diagnosed with liver cancer in June 2019, the message he heard was stark: there was little that could be done, and he should prepare for the months ahead. The news was devastating for him and his family, but he wasn't ready to accept it as the end of the story. He began looking beyond the border for answers.

Navarro's diagnosis came unexpectedly. He originally sought care for persistent nosebleeds believed to be a deviated septum. Routine pre-operative testing revealed a far more serious problem: a large tumor on his liver. The mass was so close to major blood vessels that surgery was not an option.

Even as fear and uncertainty set in, he acted, searching for specialists, asking questions, and pushing for a second opinion. While navigating appointments and hospitals, he recalls hearing advice that stayed with him: If I had a sick family member, I would send them to UC San Diego Health.

Navarro found his way to Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, where he met Adam Burgoyne, MD, PhD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist, and Yuko Kono, MD, PhD, a hepatologist. Together with the multidisciplinary liver cancer care team, they reviewed his history and diagnostic scans and developed a comprehensive treatment plan that included enrollment in a clinical trial. He welcomed the opportunity, knowing he was contributing to the development of groundbreaking therapies for future patients. He ultimately received immunotherapy, and after just a few months of therapy, his liver tumors began to shrink. His positive response to immunotherapy treatment opened the door to additional options.

Navarro's response exceeded expectations, leading to transplant eligibility. When the call came in August 2024, he felt deep gratitude for the organ donor and their family who made his second chance possible.

Today, he has no evidence of disease and says his quality of life has returned to baseline, if not better. He cherishes time with family and precious everyday moments he once feared he might lose. "It feels like being given life back," he said.

At a UC San Diego Health Ringing in Hope ceremony held at Petco Park, he rang the bell. "For me, it meant more than finishing treatment," he said. "It was about showing other Latinos that hope and expert care are possible."

As he reflects on everything he has overcome, Navarro hopes his story encourages others to keep asking questions and seek trusted care when options feel limited. The unique synergy between research and clinical practice at UC San Diego Health allows for outcomes that may not be possible elsewhere. Navarro also hopes his story sparks more conversations about organ donation and helps others feel less alone when confronting the unknown.