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On Liver Cancer Renowned specialist on liver, Dr. Santosh Man Shrestha highlights the complications of liver disease in Nepal
By A CORRESPONDENT
At a time when a large number of people in Nepal are suffering from various kinds of Hepatitis diseases, a book has been published to create awareness about these diseases.
Thanks to the awareness generated by this book, many patients can know the prevalence of deadly complications of liver in his or her body. Although he has already retired from government service, Dr. Santosh Man Shrestha, a renowned liver specialist, has been making efforts to generate awareness in Nepalese people.
To disseminate the problems of liver, Dr. Shrestha has already published a number of books and booklets through Liver Foundation Nepal . Although a large number of Nepalese people are still unaware about the disease, Dr. Shrestha’s efforts can produce results. Situated in Sitapaila, Liver Foundation Nepal has been providing specialized medical treatment to the patients suffering from liver related disease.
“Patients usually come for treatment at an advanced stage of the disease with large and painful liver,” said Dr. Shrestha who has been spending his time to rescue the poor people suffering from the diseases. “Liver Foundation Nepal has produced this booklet with a view to providing additional information to medical students in Nepal and to promote better understanding of the disease a it is seen in this country.”
According to Dr. Shrestha, liver cancer was unrecognized in Nepal till 1980. Serological tests-HBSAG, marker of HBV infections and alpha fetoprotein (AFP), a marker of HCC was first introduced in 1980 at Liver Unit, Bir Hospital . These procedures helped to recognize liver cancer in Nepal . Forty cases of liver cancer were diagnosed in three years from 1980-1982. In the last two decades, about 50-60 new cases of HCC annually were seen at Bir Hospital .
Based on intensive study, the book also highlights other significant aspects of liver cancer and other related problems in Nepal . This book is very helpful for the students acquiring medical degree in Nepal and those who are interested to know about the state of liver cancer in Nepal .
Dr. Shrestha has done tremendous research to bring out the book highlighting the cause, consequences and state of liver cancer in Nepal . During his career as a specialist physician on liver in Bir Hospital , Dr. Shrestha had made a great contribution to establish the specialized unit within the Hospital.
Although it was written targeting the medial students and medical practitioners, the book is also an eye opener for other common people. Written in simple language, the book is also helpful to understand the dangerous consequences of liver related problems and informs about curative as well as preventive method.
T he government does not have data about the number of alcoholic persons in Nepal , even though a large number of liver cancer and liver related problems are associated with alcoholic cirrhosis. “There is some epidemiological evidence to suggest the relationship between alcohol consumption and liver cancer,” writes Dr. Shrestha. According to Dr. Shrestha, secondary prevention of liver cancer aims at preventing chronic viral hepatitis progressing to cirrhosis. There is now evidence that liver histology improves and there is a reduction in the risk of liver cancer in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon.
From treatment to care and possible ways of infections, Dr. Shrestha discusses all possible ways to cure liver cancer and other liver related problems. As an experienced expert in the area of liver treatment, Dr. Shrestha’s book is quite helpful and informative.
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