Television actor Dipika Kakar has shared an update after undergoing a 14-hour surgery for stage 2 liver cancer. In her first social media post since the procedure, Kakar revealed she has been discharged from the hospital after 11 days and is now “free from the tumour”. However, her treatment is far from over.
“11 days of being here and now home… free from the tumour… but this is one part of the treatment done… remaining will follow in the coming time… and mujhe yakeen hai I will sail through that too (I believe I will sail through it),” she wrote in a heartwarming post on Instagram.
Kakar also expressed her gratitude towards the medical staff at Kokilaben Hospital. “Ye 11 din mushkil the (these 11 days were difficult) but because of the amazing ppl we had around… things went smooth… There was suffering, but it was all handled with a lot of warmth by everyone at the #kokilabenhospital.”
She concluded her note by thanking her fans and well-wishers for their support. “And my biggest strength has been the love, prayers and blessings that you all have showered on me… Dil se thank you… bahut himmat mili aap sabka pyaar dekhke (Your love gave me a lot of strength)… Aage bhi yahi pray kijiyega ki my treatment further goes smoothly & i get the strength to go thru that as well… Lots Of Love to all…(keep praying for my treatment to go smoothly),” wrote Kakar, 38.
Earlier, her husband and actor Shoaib Ibrahim had shared in a family vlog on YouTube that Kakar was discharged after an 11-day hospital stay and would return for a follow-up check-up in a week.
Taking a cue from her admission, let’s understand what treatment and recovery post liver cancer surgery look like.
Dr Swapnil Sharma, consultant, liver transplant and gastrointestinal surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, said once the tumour is removed, the next phase focuses on preventing recurrence. “This includes regular follow-ups, imaging tests, liver function monitoring, and in some cases, additional treatments like immunotherapy depending on the pathology report and cancer stage,” said Dr Sharma.
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The expert explained that after surgery, the patient enters a structured recovery phase. “Our liver has regeneration power. After resection, the remnant liver regenerates and it can regrow to its original size within the next three months,” said Dr Sharma.
Close medical supervision is essential. “If recurrence is identified, further treatment such as locoregional treatment like ablation or chemo, or radio embolisation can be considered. If the patient has liver cancer in an underlying cirrhotic liver, we can consider a salvage liver transplant as well. The most important thing is lifestyle modifications and ongoing monitoring,” said Dr Sharma.
How long does recovery take, and what should patients keep in mind?
Dr Sharma said that recovery usually takes around six to eight weeks. “Patients should eat a nutritious, liver-friendly diet, avoid alcohol, get adequate rest, and follow medical advice strictly. Regular follow-ups are critical to track healing and detect any early signs of complications or recurrence,” said Dr Sharma.
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.
