Although type 2 diabetes and cancer are major health concerns among the adult population, few studies have directly addressed the relationship between the two, or the impact of diabetes on cancer outcomes. Diabetes and hyperglycemia are associated with an elevated risk of developing pancreatic, liver, colon, breast, and endometrial cancer. When treating cancer patients who have diabetes, clinicians must consider the cardiac, renal, and neurologic complications commonly associated with diabetes. Chemotherapeutic choices and, ultimately, the outcome for cancers may be affected by the avoidance of agents that have been shown to provide the best clinical response and survival in cancer patients without other disease complications. Evidence from population-based studies and clinical trials indicate that hyperglycemic and diabetic patients experience higher mortality and recurrence rates after diagnosis with, and treatment for, cancer. Evidence from the intensive care literature indicates that achieving glucose control leads to better clinical outcomes. If so, continued improvement of cancer outcomes may depend upon improved diabetes control. The association between diabetes and cancer is complex and warrants further study as the general population ages and the magnitude of both health problems continues to grow. Here we consider the influence of diabetes and hyperglycemia on the development, treatment, and long-term outcomes of cancer.

Poorer survival from melanoma was observed among those given the diagnosis at late stage and older age. Improvements in survival over time have been minimal. Although newly available therapies may impact survival, prevention and early detection are relevant to melanoma-specific survival.

This study is the first to demonstrate substantial regional differences in the incidence of childhood cancer. It also shows that incidence varies according to gender, age, race, and ethnicity. Our research findings are useful for prioritizing future childhood cancer research needs.

The rising threat of antibiotic resistance and other adverse consequences resulting from the misuse of antibiotics requires a better understanding of antibiotic use in hospitals in the United States. OBJECTIVE To use proprietary administrative data to estimate patterns of US inpatient antibiotic use in recent years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS For this retrospective analysis, adult and pediatric in-patient antibiotic use data was obtained from the Truven Health MarketScan Hospital Drug Database (HDD) from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2012. Data from adult and pediatric patients admitted to 1 of approximately 300 participating acute care hospitals provided antibiotic use data for over 34 million discharges representing 166 million patient-days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESWe retrospectively estimated the days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-days and the proportion of hospital discharges in which a patient received at least 1 dose of an antibiotic during the hospital stay. We calculated measures of antibiotic usage stratified by antibiotic class, year, and other patient and facility characteristics. We used data submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Healthcare Cost Report Information System to generate estimated weights to apply to the HDD data to create national estimates of antibiotic usage. A multivariate general estimating equation model to account for interhospital covariance was used to assess potential trends in antibiotic DOT over time.RESULTS During the years 2006 to 2012, 300 to 383 hospitals per year contributed antibiotic data to the HDD. Across all years, 55.1% of patients received at least 1 dose of antibiotics during their hospital visit. The overall national DOT was 755 per 1000 patient-days. Overall antibiotic use did not change significantly over time. The multivariable trend analysis of data from participating hospitals did not show a statistically significant change in overall use (total DOT increase, 5.6; 95% CI, −18.9 to 30.1; P = .65). However, the mean change (95% CI) for the following antibiotic classes increased significantly: third-and fourth-generation cephalosporins, 10.3 (3.1-17.5); macrolides, 4.8 (2.0-7.6); glycopeptides, 22.4 (17.5-27.3); β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, 18.0 (13.3-22.6); carbapenems, 7.4 (4.6-10.2); and tetracyclines, 3.3 (2.0-4.7). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEOverall DOT of all antibiotics among hospitalized patients in US hospitals has not changed significantly in recent years. Use of some antibiotics, especially broad spectrum agents, however, has increased significantly. This trend is worrisome in light of the rising challenge of antibiotic resistance. Our findings can help inform national efforts to improve antibiotic use by suggesting key targets for improvement interventions.