2023-11-02 09:00:52
Type 2 diabetes is a global epidemic. In France, nearly 4 million people are treated for type 2 diabetes, and probably as many are unaware that they are diabetic. Beyond the complications of diabetes, can this metabolic disease impact the development of certain cancers? A study has just been published in the journal Cancer and demonstrates a link between type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer prognosis. Explanations.
Diabetes and colorectal cancer
For several years, close links have been highlighted between the Type 2 diabetes and cancers. Diabetic subjects present in particular an increased risk of developing certain cancerscompared to non-diabetic subjects:
The mechanisms underlying these links are the subject of numerous studies around the world to better understand how diabetes influences cancer risk. In the case of colorectal cancer, the mechanisms highlighted by scientists are the increase in insulin secretion, the slowdown of intestinal transit and the increase in bile acids. Obesity, frequently associated with type 2 diabetes, could also explain the increased risk of cancer.
Diabetes capable of influencing the prognosis and recurrence of colorectal cancer
But the links between diabetes and cancer are not limited to the risk of developing cancer. Diabetes could also influence the evolution and therefore the prognosis of cancers. In the publication of the scientific journal Cancer, Taiwanese researchers looked at data from 59,202 patients with colorectal cancer of different stages. All patients underwent surgery to remove the tumor.
Of these patients, 9,448 developed a recurrence of their colorectal cancer and 21,031 died (from their cancer or another cause) during the study follow-up period. In determining whether or not these patients were diabetic, the researchers observed that diabetic patients had a higher mortality risk than non-diabetic patients. Mortality included mortality from cancer and mortality from other causes. Moreover, Diabetic patients had a 10 to 11% increased risk of cancer recurrence compared to non-diabetics.
Reinforced monitoring for diabetic subjects with colorectal cancer
More specifically, the increase in mortality among diabetic patients was greater when the patients presented diabetes complications, compared to patients without diabetic complications. Patients with complicated diabetes thus had an 85% additional risk of dying regardless of the cause of death and a 41% additional risk of dying from their colorectal cancer.
In this study, the researchers demonstrate the existence of a link between type 2 diabetes, the existence of diabetic complications and the risk of mortality from cancer and all causes. These associations were stronger in two cases:
- For women ;
- For patients with early stage colorectal cancer.
These new data confirm the close links between type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer, implying the need for enhanced surveillance in diabetic patients with colorectal cancer.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Sources
– Diabetes and cancer: a pernicious association. Karim Gariani and Christel Tran. 2010. Swiss Medical Review. www.revmed.ch. Accessed October 26, 2023
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