Need of integrated management of type ii diabetes mellitus as a serious risk factor in modifying outcomes in cancer management: A literature review

Abstract

The Rasayu cancer treatment protocol is based on the philosophy of normalizing the natural cell cycle and enhancing the apoptosis pathways. Rasayana chikatsa modulates Dhatus and Ojas being important therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Diabetes mellitus can be correlated to Prameha in Ayurveda. Ayurveda believes that Prameha reduce the strength of all the dhatus and also reduce the Ojas. Considering this pathophysiological aspect of Prameha, it can be hypothesized that it cannot only make the dhatus more susceptible to cancer but can also increase the risk of metastasis and recurrence thereby negatively affecting the overall therapeutic outcomes. To support this hypothesis based on fundamental Ayurveda principles, we conducted this literature review with an aim to study and evaluate the available evidence regarding the role of diabetes in pathophysiology and prognosis of cancer. A literature review was done in PubMed from their inception to 1 January 2018. Review was performed using the keywords such as diabetes mellitus, cancer treatment, mortality, cancer metastasis, and quality of life. The present article highlights the available evidence suggesting that diabetes has major impact on various cancer types which directly affects recurrence of cancer, spread of cancer, overall survival, mortality, and morbidity. The approach of targeting Dhatus and Ojas in cancer treatment has shown favorable outcomes in cancer treatment. Hence, besides having strict glycemic control the diabetic treatment should target improving strength of dhatus and increasing ojas using appropriate Rasayana chikitsa. Similar approach should be followed more meticulously in the management of diabetic cancer patients. Further clinical studies are required to validate this hypothesis.

Keywords

• cancer
• diabetes mellitus
• mortality
• quality of life
• recurrence
• survival