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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2016; 124(05): 263-275
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-100910
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Diabetes and Cancer: a Review of Current Knowledge

J. Wojciechowska
1   Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wrocław Medical University Hospital, Borowska 213, Wrocław
,
W. Krajewski
2   Department and Clinic of Urology, Wrocław Medical University Hospital, Borowska 213, Wrocław
,
M. Bolanowski
3   Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Isotope Treatment, Wybrzeże Pasteura 4, Wrocław
,
T. Kręcicki
1   Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wrocław Medical University Hospital, Borowska 213, Wrocław
,
T. Zatoński
1   Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wrocław Medical University Hospital, Borowska 213, Wrocław
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 27 September 2015
first decision 21 September 2015

accepted 13 January 2016

Publication Date:
24 May 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the most common life-threatening illnesses worldwide, is a group of metabolic diseases, characterized by sustained hyperglycemia. The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adults reached 387 millions in 2014 and is still rising. It is suggested there is a strong association between diabetes mellitus (especially type 2 diabetes mellitus) and carcinogenesis. The possible biological links between diabetes mellitus and cancer comprise hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and fat-induced chronic inflammation. Although, the strongest association refers to pancreas and liver, there are many other organs involved in carcinogenesis in diabetic patients including breast, endometrium, bladder and kidney.

Recent studies suggest that there is also association between cancer incidence and anti-diabetic medications. It was observed that some medications decrease the risk of carcinogenesis and some increase that risk. The majority of studies concern metformin, a drug of choice in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and its anti-neoplastic and tumor-suppressing activity. The positive effect of metformin was found in numerous researches investigating breast, pancreas, liver, colon, ovaries and prostate tumors.

Because a variety of studies have suggested that diabetes mellitus and cancer are frequently coexisting diseases, recently published studies try to explain the influence of diabetes mellitus and anti-diabetic medications on carcinogenesis in different organs.

We present the review of the latest studies investigating the association between both diabetes mellitus and anti-diabetic medications and cancer incidence and prognosis.

Particularly we highlight the problem of concomitant head and neck cancers in diabetics, rarely analysed and often omitted in studies.

Key words

antidiabetic medications - cancer - diabetes