Variations of blood glucose in cancer patients during chemotherapy

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the blood glucose (BG) variations in cancer patients during chemotherapy according to tumor types and chemotherapeutic regimens.

Materials and Methods: Patients were examined from the Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Hospital and Institute, Chinese Academy Medical Sciences from January 2012 to December 2014. The patients’ ages, genders, body mass index, associated disease history, and corresponding BG values were recorded.

Results: Among these 2029 patients, 331 (16.3%) patients encountered high BG during chemotherapy except diabetic patients. Of these patients, 208 (62.8%) were males, and 123 (37.2%) were females, with age ranged from 17 to 84 years. The 331 cases included 23 tumor types and 77 regimens. Totally, BG values increased up to 7.4 ± 1.3 mmol/L during chemotherapy.

Conclusions: No previous studies in the literature have examined systematically so numerous cases of hyperglycemia during chemotherapy. This study has pointed out possible high‑risk chemotherapeutic regimens and tumor types, which should be paid attention to prevent the occurrence of hyperglycemia.

Keywords: Blood glucose, cancer patients, chemotherapy, hyperglycemia