Popular television actor Dipika Kakar has opened up about the profound shock of her liver cancer diagnosis, despite leading what she describes as a clean and healthy lifestyle. The revelation came during a candid conversation on Bharti Singh's podcast, where Kakar detailed her journey from persistent pain to a major surgery that removed 22% of her liver.
The Unexpected Diagnosis and Surgical Intervention
Dipika Kakar explained that her cancer was discovered somewhat accidentally. She experienced persistent pain after the delivery of her child, which was initially attributed to common issues like acidity. When the discomfort did not subside, further investigation was advised. "Then he gave me a CRP test... Then he said let's do a CT... there are stones in the gallbladder. But there was a tumour here," she recounted.
A subsequent FAPI scan, a specialised imaging technique used to detect cancer cells in the body, provided a clearer picture. The scan showed that the malignancy was fortunately confined to the tumour itself. "Alhamdulillah, in my case, the best thing was that my cancer was only in the tumour. When we did FAPI last time, there were no other cells in the body at that time," Kakar shared. This finding led to a partial liver resection, where surgeons removed the tumour along with approximately 22% of her liver, a mass measuring about 11 cm in size.
She is currently on a two-year course of oral targeted therapy, a form of treatment similar to chemotherapy, and undergoes regular scans to monitor her health.
Decoding the Mystery: Why Liver Cancer Can Strike Without Clear Risk Factors
What left Kakar and her doctors perplexed was the absence of identifiable causes. She emphasised that she has never smoked or consumed alcohol and maintained a balanced diet. "Whoever has seen my reports said... we don't have an answer. There must have been some toxicity in the body due to which it developed," she stated.
Dr. Amit Upadhyay, Senior Consultant Haematologist and Oncologist at PSRI Hospital, sheds light on this medical mystery. He confirms that it is not unusual for liver tumours, including types like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), to appear without clearly identifiable causes. While major risk factors like alcohol use, hepatitis infections, obesity, and fatty liver disease are well-known, a significant number of cases occur in individuals without these triggers.
Dr. Upadhyay explains that hidden causes can include subtle metabolic issues, long-standing inflammation, past silent viral infections, spontaneous genetic mutations, or exposure to environmental toxins that patients are unaware of. A clean lifestyle significantly lowers risk but does not entirely eliminate the possibility of these biologically driven tumours.
Symptoms, Recovery, and the Path Forward
The oncologist highlighted that early liver tumours often cause vague symptoms that are easily overlooked. People commonly mistake them for routine gastric problems. Red flags include persistent upper abdominal pain unresponsive to standard medications, unexplained fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and a feeling of fullness despite small meals.
Regarding recovery, Dr. Upadhyay notes that the liver's ability to regenerate makes recovery after partial resection generally favourable. Patients need a few weeks to months to regain strength and must follow a nutrient-rich diet. However, consistent monitoring is crucial. "Recurrence risk exists for several years, which is why close follow-up is essential," he stated. Oral targeted therapy helps suppress microscopic residual cells and reduces recurrence chances.
Dipika Kakar's story underscores a critical health message: cancer can sometimes develop outside the framework of conventional risk factors, making awareness of subtle symptoms and proactive health checks vital for early detection and successful treatment.
