Dipika Kakkar Faces Hair Fall and Thyroid Spike After Targeted Cancer Therapy; How to Manage the Side Effects?

Dipika Kakkar has opened up about her struggles with hair fall, which she says has been so severe that she may have to wear a patch to conceal empty areas on her head. The actor has recently finished treatment

for stage 2 liver cancer, which included surgery to remove the tumour. Post operation, she also underwent chemotherapy and is now on oral targeted therapy to reduce the recurrence of the disease, which has now led to a hormonal imbalance, causing a spike in thyroid levels as a side effect. “My blood reports have come. I had hypothyroidism earlier, and when my target therapy started, my doctor had asked me to keep a careful watch on thyroid levels because they get disturbed. For a few days, I have been feeling bloated, having mood swings, and fatigue. I have ulcers that have increased since the last two days,” she said in her vlog. “Everything is normal, but thyroid is not, so my dosage has been increased. We have to keep a close watch and redo the test in four weeks,” Dipika added. According to doctors, extreme hair fall is due to high thyroid levels as it speeds up the hair growth cycle, causing hair to transition too quickly to the shedding phase. This results in thinner, more brittle hair and increased hair loss. “My hair volume was never so thin that gaps were visible, but now it's happened, so I will start wearing a hair patch soon," she shared. Apart from these issues, Dipika also said she has been constantly dealing with mouth ulcers - a common side effect associated with her treatment.

Continuing her treatment

Dipika said that despite chemotherapy, getting over it, she has to go for regular check-ups and continue with medicines, along with a positive outlook, while undergoing treatment. “All other things, like feeling tired, falling asleep, and levels fluctuating, the best way is to get timely checkups done; luckily, everything can be rectified. Health is very important, life is unpredictable,” she added in her vlog.

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy destroys cancer cells without harming healthy ones. In targeted therapy, oncologists identify specific genetic changes or mutations in your body that turn normal cells into cancer cells. Then, they select treatments that target the specific parts of the cancer cells that the genetic abnormalities activate. Oncologists may call targeted therapy a type of precision medicine. To use targeted therapy, oncologists typically perform these steps:

• Research a genetic mutation that changes a healthy cell into a cancer cell
• Doctors decide on which parts of the cancer cell to target, mostly focusing on the cell’s surface or substances inside the cell
• Use what they learn to develop a drug to hit the targeted areas of cancer cells
• There are many different types of targeted therapy. Oncologists classify types by the way they work.

How to manage the side effects of targeted therapy?

Oncologists say they always consider potential side effects when they recommend treatment and will explain the different ways treatment would affect you. They may also discuss medication or other steps that can prevent or relieve side effects. A few ways to manage it include:

• Follow treatment guidelines by strictly adhering to the prescribed treatment plan. Take medications as directed, and do not alter the dosage or frequency without consulting the healthcare team.
• Stay hydrated as it plays a crucial role in managing the side effects of targeted therapy.
• Consider dietary changes and only consume a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious food
• Prioritize rest and sufficient restorative sleep each night to combat fatigue.