‘We removed 22% of the liver’: Dipika Kakar on being shocked by cancer diagnosis despite a clean and healthy lifestyle; oncologist decodes possible hidden causes

Dipika explained that her scan showed the cancer was confined to the tumour: “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. So, we removed 22% of the liver, which was like 11 cm in size.” She shared that she continues to undergo regular monitoring: “There is one thing, I am on oral targeted therapy, which is like a chemo… it will last for 2 years… we will have to do scans from time to time.”

What struck her most was the lack of a clear cause. “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. Allah knows better… But as you said, I have never drunk, I have never smoked… It’s not like I used to eat more of this… There is nothing like that.” 

She said her tumour was discovered only because her persistent pain didn’t subside: “This pain happened after delivery… many times I checked, the doctor said it could be acidity… Then again, the pain was there… 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.”

So, how common is it for liver cancers or tumours to have no identifiable cause?

Dr Amit Upadhyay, senior consultant haematologist and oncologist at PSRI Hospital, tells indianexpress.com, “It is not unusual for liver tumours, especially certain types like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, to appear without a clearly identifiable cause. While alcohol use, hepatitis infections, obesity, and fatty liver disease are major risk factors, a significant number of cases still occur in people who do not have these triggers.” 

He says this happens because liver tumours can also arise from subtle or undiagnosed metabolic issues, long-standing inflammation, past silent viral infections, genetic mutations, or environmental toxin exposure that patients are unaware of. 

In some individuals, spontaneous genetic changes in liver cells can drive tumour formation even without lifestyle-related risk factors. Essentially, a “clean” lifestyle lowers risk but does not eliminate the possibility of sporadic or biologically driven liver tumours.

Early signs of liver tumours that people often overlook or misinterpret

Early liver tumours often cause very vague symptoms, Dr Upadhyay notes, which is why they are missed. People commonly misinterpret dull abdominal pain, persistent acidity, bloating, nausea, or early satiety as routine gastric problems. These symptoms may be continuous yet mild enough to be dismissed or repeatedly treated as gastritis or acid reflux. 

“Red flags include persistent upper abdominal pain that does not improve with standard acidity medications, unexplained fatigue, unintentional weight loss, poor appetite, or a feeling of abdominal fullness despite small meals,” states Dr Upadhyay. 

What does recovery usually look like after a partial liver resection?

“Recovery after partial liver resection is generally favourable because the liver can regenerate,” mentions Dr Upadhyay, adding that most patients need a few weeks to months to regain strength, avoid heavy physical activity, and follow a nutrient-rich, liver-friendly diet. 

Regular monitoring is crucial. This includes liver function tests, imaging every few months, and tumour markers such as AFP or CA19-9, depending on tumour type. “Recurrence risk exists for several years, which is why close follow-up is essential. Oral targeted therapy helps suppress microscopic residual cancer cells and reduces the chance of recurrence by blocking specific tumour-growth pathways. Staying consistent with medication, reporting side effects early, and adhering to surveillance protocols greatly improve long-term outcomes,” concludes the expert. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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