Actress Dipika Kakkar recently shared her experience with cancer diagnosis and treatment in a discussion with Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiyaa, emphasizing the significance of a specific medical scan that facilitated the detection of cancer in her body.
During her appearance on the couple’s podcast, Dipika explained, “The FAPI scan functions similarly to a CT scan and is primarily used to identify cancer cells within the body. Whenever there is a suspicion of malignancy, a FAPI scan is typically performed before any surgical intervention or treatment to determine the extent of the spread. In my case, the cancer was localized to the tumor. When we conducted the FAPI scan previously, there were no cancer cells detected elsewhere in my body. Consequently, 22% of my liver, which was about 11 cm in size, was removed to excise the tumor.”
Dr. Puneet Gupta, Chairman of Oncology Services at Asian Hospital, noted that a FAPI scan is crucial for assessing the extent of cancer spread prior to surgery or treatment. He stated, “When a FAPI scan reveals that cancer is limited to the tumor, it generally indicates an earlier stage of the disease, making surgical intervention a preferable course of action.”
However, he also emphasized that imaging results alone do not predict a patient’s overall prognosis. “While such cases often lead to improved outcomes, the prognosis relies on various factors including the tumor’s biological characteristics and the patient’s overall health, rather than solely on imaging results. The FAPI scan primarily enhances confidence regarding cancer staging,” he added.
Dipika further disclosed that nearly 22% of her liver was surgically removed to eradicate the tumor. Although this may seem concerning, Dr. Miglani pointed out that the liver is one of the few organs capable of regeneration. “The liver has the ability to regenerate thanks to the rapid division of its cells, allowing it to replace lost volume and restore functionality,” he explained.
Nevertheless, the recovery process is intricate and may involve potential complications. “Risks include bleeding, infection, bile leaks, and temporary liver dysfunction. The healing process largely depends on the health of the remaining liver tissue and its functional reserve prior to the surgery,” he mentioned.
Dr. Miglani also clarified that FAPI scans measure the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts rather than glucose metabolism, which allows for clearer imaging with reduced background noise. “This results in higher contrast between the tumor and the surrounding tissue, which is particularly beneficial in identifying cancers where traditional FDG-PET scans may not be as effective,” he noted.
Despite advanced imaging techniques such as FAPI PET, Dr. Miglani cautioned that microscopic disease spread may still go undetected. “There might not be any visible disease spread at the cellular level, which is why it is common practice for doctors to combine surgical procedures with additional treatments or maintain vigilant follow-ups, even when imaging does not show any apparent spread,” he concluded.
