Lung cancer patients who also have pre-existing diabetes may live longer, according to new research.
Scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Trondheim University analysed survival rates for 1,677 lung cancer patients both with and without diabetes mellitus from different studies and registries in Norway.
After taking into account other risk factors, they found that the one-year survival rate for patients with lung cancer and diabetes was 43 per cent compared to 28 per cent for those without the metabolic disease, while the two and three-year survival rates were shown to be 19 per cent versus 11 per cent and 3 per cent versus 1 per cent, respectively.
"Patients with lung cancer with diabetes mellitus have an increased survival compared with those without diabetes mellitus," the report stated.
The researchers stressed, however, that diabetes should not be considered a justifiable reason to withhold standard cancer treatment .
"Standard therapy should not be withheld from patients with diabetes mellitus provided they are otherwise fit, even if it may be considered a significant comorbidity," they wrote.
They study was published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.
Diabetes May Prolong Survival In Lung Cancer Patients
Wed, 19 Oct 2011
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