Diabetes and pancreatic cancer

Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2012 Dec;58(4):331-45.

Abstract

The relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer is complex. Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance is present in more than 2/3rd of pancreatic cancer patients. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown a modest increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes, with an inverse relationship to duration of disease. Additionally, recent studies suggest that anti-diabetic medications may modulate the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes. Subjects >50 years of age with new onset diabetes are at higher risk of having pancreatic cancer. However, to screen new-onset diabetes for pancreatic cancer, additional markers are needed that can distinguish pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes from type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Body Mass Index
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology*
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Global Health
  • Glucose Intolerance / complications
  • Glucose Intolerance / epidemiology
  • Glucose Intolerance / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / complications
  • Hyperinsulinism / epidemiology
  • Hyperinsulinism / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Insulin Glargine
  • Insulin, Long-Acting / adverse effects
  • Meta-Analysis as Topic
  • Metformin / adverse effects
  • Obesity / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin, Long-Acting
  • Insulin Glargine
  • Metformin