Altered glucose metabolism during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer.
Platinum-based chemotherapy has been reported to induce diabetes and hyperosmolar coma in nondiabetic patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of chemoradiation for head and neck carcinoma alters glucose metabolism during and after treatment.


METHODS
Weekly nonfasting serum glucose level was obtained during treatment of one hundred and six patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who underwent chemoradiationt.


RESULTS
For the 91 non-diabetic patients, mean serum glucose level measured 97.75 before and 102.1, 102, 104.1, 109.1, 109.7, 110.3, 109.8, 113.2, 107.7 and 104.3 mg/dl during weeks 1-10 of treatment respectively. Serum glucose level elevation reached statistical significance for weeks 5-8.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemoradiation for head and neck cancer may produce severe glucose metabolism alteration during treatment.
Nguyen
Nam P
NP
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724-5081, USA. NamPhong.Nguyen@yahoo.com
Vos
Paul
P
Vinh-Hung
Vincent
V
Borok
Thomas L
TL
Dutta
Suresh
S
Karlsson
Ulf
U
Lee
Howard
H
Martinez
Tomas
T
Jo
Beng-Hoey
BH
Nguyen
Ly M
LM
Nguyen
Nga
N
Sallah
Sabah
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052016:Mucositis / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil