PESHAWAR, June 18: Liver cancer has been causing more deaths in the NWFP owing to the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C, said a local doctor.
“Liver cancer is one of the most common cancer among our population. It can result from drinking alcohol, but the commonest cause in our population is Hepatitis B, with Hepatitis C coming a close second,” said hepatologist Dr Najibul Haq.
According to him, patients carrying the virus in their blood are at a high risk of developing cancer. The chances become multiple if both B & C are present.
“Some 50 to 60 per cent of liver cancer cases are associated with Hepatitis B, and possibly 25 to 30 per cent with Hepatitis C,” said the doctor.
Treatment available for this cancer is not satisfactory. Partial hepatectomy (cutting the affected part of liver by surgery) and liver transplant are the two prominent modes of treatment. The cost of the latter is about Rs3 million, and not in all cases could it be undertaken. The famous saying — prevention is better than cure — holds true in this ailment’s case, he said.
It must be emphasized that the routine restriction of diet to only carbohydrate (sweet things) has no justification. Restriction of proteins (meat, chicken) and fats etc., is required only for a few patients with complications.
Intravenous fluids (drips) should only be used in patients with protracted vomiting, otherwise a few tablespoons of glucose or sugar by mouth, are better than 1000cc of glucose (drip).
Liberal food intake may actively enhance recovery and shorten the period of the disease. He said that syrups and tablets containing vitamins B do not have any definite role. Similarly, toxic drugs, such as antibiotics and analgesic (pain killers) must be avoided.
Treatment of the complication of Hepatitis is only symptomatic, and not curative, in a majority of cases.
However, patients with chronic Hepatitis who have not yet developed advanced complications can be cured partly with expensive medications. One course of these drugs costs more than Rs1,75,000 with only 40 to 60 per cent chance of abatement in the disease.
According to Dr Najib, education of patients is of key importance, especially about the route of transmission of the disease, and appropriate protective measures. Virus A and E can be prevented by simple hygienic measures.
Mothers have a very important role to play. They must prevent their children from purchasing food stuff from vendors, especially unpacked ice creams and puddings, etc., from streets and bazaars, and inculcate habits of cleanliness among their children.
According to him, the use of dirty and unsterile syringes are the main causes of virus “B” and “C”.