TITLE:
The Role of Hyperinsulenemia as a Risk Factor for Pancreatic Cancer
AUTHORS:
Giuseppe Preziosi, Jude A. Oben, Giuseppe Fusai
KEYWORDS:
Pancreatic Cancer; Obesity; Diabetes; Risk Factors; Hyperinsulenemia
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.4 No.10,
December
13,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Pancreatic cancer is associated with a very severe
prognosis and identification of risk factors is essential. Diabetes and obesity
are both established risk factors, and they both cause hyperinsulenemia. With this review we wished to
appraise the evidence of a role of high insulin levels in causing pancreatic
cancer. Methods: We searched
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Medline, and all evidence on potential
pathophysiology of hyperinsulenemia and pancreatic cancer was included. Metaand
pooled-analysis on epidemiological evidence are reported,
and individual studies were as appropriate for specific topics (role of
therapies, central adiposity and role of physical exercise). Conclusion: Hyperinsulenemia, and possibly hyperestrogenism secondary to a
metabolic syndrome, are important elements in the pathogenesis of pancreatic
cancer. Modification of certain life-style factors (exercise and weight loss)
appears to modify the risk of pancreatic malignancy.