Dipika Kakar recently revealed that she has been diagnosed with stage 2 liver cancer. In a video message to her followers, Dipika and fellow actor and husband, Shoaib Ibrahim, shared an update about her health. She looked tired, but composed, speaking with the honesty that fans have always admired her for.
“Surgery toh honi hi honi hai. Bas abhi cough ki wajah se thodi delay hai,” Ibrahim said, to which Dipika added. “Delay ho rahi hai kyunki mujhe cough hai, thoda sa khasi hai… aur doctors ne mana kiya hai ki jab tak yeh cough thoda control mein nahi aata, tab tak hum surgery ke liye proceed nahi karenge.
“Kyunki jab cough hota hai toh andar se pressure padta hai aur operation ke baad waisa pressure nahi padna chahiye body pe… Isiliye abhi hum delay kar rahe hain surgery ka,” the actor explained in a YouTube video.
According to Dr Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, a persistent cough can complicate big surgeries like this one. “If a patient has a strong or ongoing cough, it can interfere with breathing during anaesthesia and increase the risk of infection or delayed healing,” he explains.
When someone coughs, it creates pressure inside the body. After a major operation—especially one involving the liver—that kind of strain can become a serious issue. “The doctors are right to wait,” says Dr Malhotra. “Once the cough settles, surgery becomes safer.”
But it’s not just about a cough. Many things can make surgery more difficult or even impossible for liver cancer patients. For instance, operating becomes dangerous if the tumour is close to important blood vessels or bile ducts. And if the liver isn’t functioning well to begin with—perhaps due to conditions like hepatitis or cirrhosis—then removing part of it may cause more harm than good.
Dipika has stage 2 liver cancer, and according to Dr Malhotra, the chances of recovery are better at this stage—if the tumour can be removed completely. “Surgery is still the most effective treatment when possible,” he says. “But every patient’s situation is different.”
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“Doctors ka kehna hai ki iska cure easily ho sakta hai. Unka confidence dekh ke hum bhi confident hain. Apni strength hum maintain kar rahe hain,” Kakar said in her video. “Of course, ‘cancer’ sunte hi patient ho ya family—sab ke liye yeh bahut hi scary hota hai. Mental trauma sabse zyada hota hai. But jab doctors confidently kehte hain ki cure easily ho sakta hai, toh wohi strength ban jaati hai.”
When surgery isn’t possible, doctors consider other options, such as immunotherapy, targeted drugs, or local treatments such as TACE (transarterial chemoembolisation) or radiofrequency ablation. These may not cure the cancer but can help control its growth.
Dipika’s honesty in sharing her journey is rare—and brave. She’s not just updating her fans; she’s also helping others understand how complex and fragile cancer treatment can be. Sometimes, even when the disease seems ready to be tackled, the body needs a little more time to catch up.
For now, her medical team is focusing on helping her body heal enough for surgery. And as always, her fans are sending her strength, hope, and love.
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.
