Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Horm Res Paediatr. 2019;91(2):118-127. doi: 10.1159/000495698. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Abstract

Endocrine complications, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome, are highly prevalent in childhood cancer survivors. These metabolic derangements may contribute to survivors' risk of excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality. This review summarizes existing knowledge on risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome among childhood cancer survivors, focusing specifically on known risk factors, potential mechanisms, and screening recommendations. Early diagnosis via standardized risk-based screening can improve long-term outcomes in this population. Additional work is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these metabolic complications and to inform the design of risk-reducing interventions and optimize long-term cardiometabolic health among survivors of childhood cancer.

Keywords: Body composition; Bone marrow transplantation; Diabetes mellitus; Endocrine dysfunction; Insulin resistance; Long-term follow-up; Metabolic disease; Metabolic syndrome; Oncology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cancer Survivors*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / epidemiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / etiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / metabolism
  • Metabolic Syndrome* / therapy
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy