Patient Journeys: Overcoming Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer in India

GetWellGo shares inspiring stories of individuals in India overcoming Hepatitis B and liver cancer, highlighting their resilience and treatment journeys

Patient Journeys: Overcoming Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer in India

  • Category

    Cancer

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    31-Mar-2025

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can result in both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) disease. It can, in some instances, result in severe complications like liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver (scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer.

Liver Cancer Treatment in India​

Liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is a major health issue in India. Treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, liver function, and general health of the patient. Treatments include:

  • Surgery: Tumor removal or liver transplant.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Destruction of cancer cells with heat.
  • Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE): Injection of chemotherapy directly into the liver tumor.
  • Targeted Therapy: Drugs that target cancer cells specifically.
  • Immunotherapy: Utilizing the immune system of the body to combat cancer.
  • Radiation Therapy: Employing high-energy beams to attack cancer cells.​

Hepatitis B Symptoms​

Some individuals (particularly children) will not present symptoms. When they do, these can be:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes)
  • Dark-colored urine and light-colored stool
  • Abdominal pain

Hepatitis B Treatment in India​

Hepatitis B is an important public health problem in India, and prompt treatment is needed to avoid the consequences of complications including liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer of the liver. Management options are stratified according to the phase of infection, the severity of the liver disease, and the individual characteristics of patients.​

Treatment Methods:

Antiviral Agents: Nucleos(t)ide analogs such as tenofovir and entecavir are among the first-line medications that have proved effective with high resistance barrier.

Medscape

Regular Monitoring: For treatment-naive individuals, regular liver function and viral load monitoring should be done in order to notice disease progression on time.​

Lifestyle Modifications: Leading a healthy life, abstinence from alcohol consumption, and normal exercise can ensure liver health along with overall wellbeing.

Liver Cancer Survival Rate in India​

Liver cancer, in the form of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), poses serious treatment problems in India and has relatively poor survival rates.​

Survival Statistics in India:

Overall Survival: The 5-year survival rate for liver cancer patients in India is about 4%, as opposed to 10-20% in developed nations.

Stage-Specific Survival: There is much greater survival with early diagnosis. For example, in the United Kingdom, approximately 35% of patients diagnosed at stage 2 survive for more than 4 years.

Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Risk​

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major risk factor for liver cancer, most importantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer.

How Does Hepatitis B Cause Liver Cancer?

Hepatitis B results in chronic liver inflammation, which can lead to:

Liver Cirrhosis: Liver scarring resulting from long-term liver damage, raising cancer risk.

HBV DNA Integration: The virus can integrate into the DNA of liver cells, activating mutations that cause cancer.

Chronic Inflammation: Long-term infection fosters abnormal cell growth and tumor development.

Best Liver Cancer Hospitals in India​

Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon

Medanta - The Medicity in Gurugram provides end-to-end liver cancer treatment with its Liver Transplantation and Oncology units. It has a multidisciplinary treatment strategy involving surgery, ablation treatment, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The facility has a team of experts comprising skilled oncologists and surgeons, and the facility has a high-volume liver transplant unit with a success rate of 95%.

Artemis hospital, Gurgaon

Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon offers end-to-end liver cancer treatment in its Oncology and Liver and Biliary Sciences departments. Treatment involves surgical procedures, localized therapies, and systemic treatments. Early diagnosis and patient-focused care are prioritized.

Max Hospital, Saket

Max Super Speciality Hospital at Saket, New Delhi, provides extensive liver cancer care from a team of experts in oncologists and surgeons. The treatment involves surgical procedures, loco-regional therapies, and systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Director Dr. Charu Garg has more than 23 years of experience.

Manipal Hospital, Gurgaon

Manipal Hospital Gurugram offers end-to-end liver cancer care via its Cancer Care and Hepatobiliary Surgery departments. The treatment process involves a multidisciplinary treatment strategy that comprises surgical procedures, local therapies, and systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Oncologists and surgeons with experience at the hospital work together for patient-oriented care.

Hepatitis B Diagnosis​

Hepatitis B is diagnosed with blood tests for the virus, antibodies, and liver function. It is essential to diagnose it early to avoid damage to the liver and other complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Important Tests for Hepatitis B Diagnosis

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)

Function: To check for the presence of the Hepatitis B virus in the blood.

Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (Anti-HBs)

Function: To see whether an individual is immune to Hepatitis B due to immunization or past infection.

Hepatitis B Core Antibody (Anti-HBc)

Purpose: Identifies past or current infection.

Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg)

Purpose: Quantifies how actively the virus is reproducing.

HBV DNA Test (Viral Load Test)

Purpose: Identifies the level of Hepatitis B virus in the bloodstream.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Purpose: Assesses liver health by assessing liver enzymes (ALT, AST, Bilirubin).

Liver Ultrasound or FibroScan

Purpose: Seeks liver scarring (fibrosis) or indications of cirrhosis.

Liver Cancer Symptoms​

Liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), often remains asymptomatic in early stages. Symptoms typically appear as the disease progresses.

Common Symptoms of Liver Cancer:

  • Unexplained Weight Loss
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Persistent Fatigue
  • Upper Abdominal Pain
  • Swelling in the Abdomen
  • Jaundice
  • Dark urine & Pale Stools
  • Itchy Skin
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Fever

Hepatitis B Complications​

  • Liver Fibrosis & Cirrhosis
  • Liver Cancer
  • Liver Failure
  • Hepatitis D
  • Kidney & Blood Vessel Disorders

Liver Cancer Causes in India

Liver cancer in India is mainly caused by chronic liver diseases, infections, lifestyle and environmental exposures. The most frequent form is Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), which most often arises due to chronic liver damage.

  • Viral Infections
  • Alcohol Induced Liver Damage
  • Fatty Liver Disease
  • Fungal Contaminants in Food
  • Cirrhosis
  • Smoking & Chemical Exposure
  • Genetic & Metabolic Disorders

Case Study

Mr. Kwame Asamoah from Zimbabwe Successfully Receives Hepatitis B Care in India

  • Patient Name: Mr. Kwame Asamoah
  • Age: 54 years
  • Gender: Male
  • Country of Origin: Zimbabwe
  • Doctor Name: Dr. Pawan Rawal
  • Hospital Name: Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon
  • Treatment: Hepatitis B Medications

Mr. Kwame Asamoah, a 54-year-old Zimbabwean gentleman, was diagnosed with Hepatitis B, a chronic liver infection which needed to be addressed at the earliest by a doctor. Scared to receive mediocre treatment, he opted for visiting India, where he went for specialized treatment at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon.

When he reached the destination, he met with Dr. Pawan Rawal, a prominent medical gastroenterologist, who carried out an exhaustive assessment using liver function tests, viral load measurement, and imaging investigations. In accordance with his condition, Dr. Pawan administered antiviral drugs to treat the infection and avert liver damage.


During his visit, Mr. Kwame was kept under close observation to check if his body was reacting positively to the treatment. The international patient services team at GetWellGo helped him with hospital schedules, stay, and travel, ensuring his medical experience was hassle-free and smooth.

Thankful for the treatment he received, Mr. Kwame said:

"The case manager helped me find the ideal doctor at Artemis Hospital. GetWellGo’s services were exceptional, and I am grateful for the advice and care extended during the treatment."

Following three weeks in India, Mr. Kwame returned home to Zimbabwe, where he is continuing his medication as prescribed and following up regularly with his doctors. His experience is a testament to the benefits of early medical intervention and the high-quality care that international patients can receive in India.

We wish Mr. Kwame a safe recovery and healthy future ahead!


 

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