‘Sasural Simar Ka’ actor Dipika Kakar shared heartbreaking news on Instagram today, May 28. The actor revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 2 liver cancer. In an Instagram post, the actor spoke about her diagnosis and how a simple visit to the doctor for stomach pain turned out to be cancer.
Taking to Instagram, Dipika penned a long note and informed her fans about the diagnosis. She wrote, “Last few weeks have been quite difficult for us... walking into the hospital for a pain in the upper area of my stomach... and then finding out its a tennis ball size tumour in the liver, and then finding out that the tumour is Second stage Malignant (Cancerous)... it has been one of the most difficult time we have seen, experienced!”
Dipika was last seen on screen in the inaugural season of Celebrity MasterChef India. She reportedly underwent surgery to remove the tumour earlier this month.
To understand more about Liver Cancer, we at Hook spoke to Dr. Sachin Trivedi, Director- Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Center, Colaba and learnt more about the symptoms and causes of liver cancer.
Talking about how symptoms can be delayed, Dr. Trivedi told us, “Liver cancer may develop quietly, particularly in its early stages, so it can be hard to find until it advances. Unexplained weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), and pain in the abdomen may occur when the tumour becomes large enough to put pressure on or block adjacent structures, including the bile ducts. Nevertheless, in the majority of instances, small liver tumours might not be responsible for any symptoms. This lack of symptoms is one of the major reasons why liver cancer is diagnosed later in most of its patients unless they go for early screening.”
Speaking to us, the doctor explained that the direct causes of liver cancer can be alcohol and fatty liver.
He said, “The etiology of liver cancer is both biological as well as environmental. The direct causes are early and excessive alcohol intake, which affects liver cells and cirrhosis, a principal risk factor for liver cancer. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease are also contributing causes, especially when they result in recurrent damage and regeneration of the liver tissue, a process that accelerates the risk of cancer-causing mutations. Furthermore, viral chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C are prevalent and extremely carcinogenic. Other causative factors include exposure to toxins in the environment (such as fungal toxins and heavy metals), tobacco use, and, in a few situations, prolonged use of hormone therapy or uncontrolled birth control pills, though the latter are more linked than directly causative.”
Doctor Sachin informed us that liver cancer is recoverable, but in the early stages. He said, “It is possible to recover from liver cancer, especially if the condition is detected early. For instance, if a tumor is restricted to the liver and has not reached the lymph nodes or other organs, like in stage 2 liver cancer, surgical removal can be a highly successful cure. Advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as genomic profiling and detection of circulating tumour cells, assist in personalising post-surgery care to minimize recurrence risk. Early detection thus greatly increases the likelihood of curing the disease, making regular check-ups and knowledge of risk factors crucial.”
How long can you survive liver cancer? Speaking to us, the doctor revealed that if diagnosis is early and treated well, many patients enjoy a healthy life after treatment.
He said, “Liver cancer survival rates vary extensively based on the stage at which it is diagnosed and the condition of the patient's liver overall. If diagnosed early and treated well, particularly if the tumor is small and isolated within the liver, patients can enjoy long, healthy lives after treatment. Advanced stages, however, especially when the cancer has spread to other organs, the outlook worsens. Survival is also affected by liver function, access to treatment, as well as the overall health of the patient.”
Here is wishing Dipika a speedy recovery!
