Link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer

A meta-analysis of the association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes has revealed a time-dependent link between being diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne assessed 88 independent studies, including 50 cohort and 39 case-control studies, from 1973 to 2013.

Dr Mehrdad Nikfarjam, a liver, pancreas and biliary specialist from the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, said pancreatic cancer was often diagnosed when at an advanced, incurable stage.

“This is an important paper that highlights for doctors, and in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes without an obvious cause, a diagnosis of underlying pancreatic cancer should be considered,” he said.

“The study revealed the risk of pancreatic cancer was greatest after the diagnosis of diabetes but remained elevated long after the diagnosis. The presence of diabetes remains a modest risk factor for the development of a cancer later in life.”

Although the number of people with pancreatic cancer in the population is relatively low, the disease has a poor prognosis which is related to its late diagnosis.

Dr Nikfarjam suggests a screening program should be considered.

“The priority on screening should be on patients with new-onset diabetes but can later be expanded to longstanding diabetic patients,” said Dr Nikfarjam.

“New-onset diabetes is more prevalent in people over the age of 55. It may be important to consider screening all newly diagnosed diabetics for pancreatic cancer, particularly those without significant risk factors for developing diabetes in the first place.”

The study has been published in Annals of Surgical Oncology.