Premium
Challenges in the management of people with diabetes and cancer
Author(s) -
Chowdhury T. A.,
Jacob P.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/dme.13919
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , cancer , intensive care medicine , clinical trial , diabetes management , type 2 diabetes , endocrinology
Although micro‐ and macrovascular complications of diabetes are the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in people with diabetes, it is increasingly recognized that diabetes increases the risk of developing cancer. Diabetes and cancer commonly co‐exist, and outcomes in people with both conditions are poorer than in those who have cancer but no diabetes. There is no randomized trial evidence that treating hyperglycaemia in people with cancer improves outcomes, but therapeutic nihilism should be avoided, and a personalized approach to managing hyperglycaemia in people with cancer is needed. This review aims to outline the link between diabetes therapies and cancer, and discuss the reasons why glucose should be actively managed people with both. In addition, we discuss clinical challenges in the management of hyperglycaemia in cancer, specifically in relation to glucocorticoids, enteral feeding and end‐of‐life care.