29 Jul Diabetes Raises Risk of Oral Cancers
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Yung-Song Lin MD
Chi Mei Medical Center
Taipei Medical University
Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Lin: The risks of developing oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) were significantly higher in patients with diabetes.
Medical Research: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Lin: There was no significant difference in overall survival between patients in the DM+ and DM– cohorts who subsequently developed oral cavity cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and NPC. Therefore, we assumed that diabetes had no significant effect on the overall survival of patients who subsequently developed head and neck cancer (HNC).
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your reports?
Dr. Lin: For patients 40-65 years old with diabetes, the risk of developing HNC was significantly higher than in younger patients. Middle-aged diabetic patients, especially for those with habitual smoking, were advised to arrange an annual head and neck cancer screening.
Medical Research: What future research do you recommend as a result of this study?
Dr. Lin: It is important to find out any possible treatment or life style modification for diabetes that could low down the risk of head and neck cancer.
Citation:
Kuo-Shu Tseng PhD, Charlene Lin BA, Yung-Song Lin MD, Shih-Feng Weng PhD
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014;140(8):-. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2014.1258
Last Updated on July 29, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD