Review
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World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2014; 5(3): 372-380
Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i3.372
Diabetes and cancer: Associations, mechanisms, and implications for medical practice
Chun-Xiao Xu, Hong-Hong Zhu, Yi-Min Zhu
Chun-Xiao Xu, Department of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, Zhejiang Province, China
Hong-Hong Zhu, Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United States
Yi-Min Zhu, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: Xu CX conceived and drafted the manuscript; Zhu HH reviewed and revised the manuscript; Zhu YM conceived, supervised, revised and finalized the manuscript.
Supported by Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-level Innovative Health Talents; Program for Zhejiang Leading Team of Science and Technology Innovation; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Correspondence to: Yi-Min Zhu, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, No. 388, Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang Province, China. zhuym@zju.edu.cn
Telephone: +86-571-88208138 Fax: +86-571-88208198
Received: November 28, 2013
Revised: February 7, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: The diabetes-cancer link is summarized and discussed in detail and it may potentially be attributed to hormonal disorders, chronic inflammation and metabolic alterations. Besides, implications for medical practice are also addressed.