Diabetes has protective effect against metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. A. Hanbali; Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Abstract: Background: Cancer can spread by both lymphatic and hematogenous routes, and metastases are found most commonly in organs fed by the downstream lymphatic and blood flow. In patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, diabetic microangiopathy render the vascular basal membrane less digestible by tumor cells, which may play a role in impeding neoplastic cell spread and metastasis. Objective: To determine whether cancer patients with diabetes mellitus have less risk of metastasis and subsequently decreased mortality compared to patients without diabetes. Study Population: 566 non-small cell lung cancer patients diagnosed during the period 1996 to 2000 were identified using the Henry Ford Hospital tumor registry. Medical records were reviewed to confirm study eligibility and to obtain data on diabetic status and progression to metastatic disease. Methods: Patient characteristics at the time of diagnosis were compared by chi square and t-test. Associations between diabetic status and progression to metastasis and death were assessed using log rank tests and proportional hazards regression models. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to summarize time to metastasis and time to death. Results: Stage and diabetes are significant predictors of metastasis. As expected a higher stage is associated with a greater risk of metastatic progression (risk ratio = 1.70, p<0.001). However, diabetes is associated with a lower risk (RR = 0.51, p=0.010). Stage and age are the only significant predictors for death, with risk ratios of 1.56 and 1.03, respectively. Diabetes does not have a significant association with death(RR=0.89, p 0.410). Conclusions: Diabetes is associated with lower risk of metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but is not associated with lower mortality rate. Abstract No: 7234 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.