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. Patients and 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 nondiabetic 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. Conclusion: Chemoradiation for head and neck cancer may produce severe glucose metabolism alteration during treatment.