Importance Of Glycemic Controlin Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Oral Cancer

Abstract

Globally, the prevalence/incidence of type 2 diabetes and oral cancer has increased dramatically in the past few decades. Studies have shown that type 2 diabeteshas an elevated risk of oral cancer, mediated by promoting DNA damage through oxidative stress caused by an increased mitochondrial glucose oxidation.Few studies have shown that higherglycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels increase the risk of certain cancers including cancers of oral cavity. Glycemic control, believed to be one of the causes of the outcome differences between cancer patients with and without diabetes, plays an important role in health related quality of life, recurrence of cancer, severity of symptomand pain,risk for infections, increased hospitalization and stay and lead to stoppage or reduction in dose of chemotherapy, which can lead to poor outcomes and reduce the lifespan. Very few studies have evaluated the link between oral cancer and HbA1c and the findings are equivocal. Thus, to increase the survival and improve the health outcomesinindividuals with oral cancer and diabetes, the role of glycemic control must be further elucidated and studies are urgently needed on this topic.