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Elevated glucose levels in melanoma patients - a real-world analysis
Joan Walter1,2,3,4, Bojan Bojanic2,4, Manuel Dittli2,3,4
1Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Over half of melanoma patients show elevated fasting blood glucose, indicating a need for better diabetes screening. This includes many without diagnosed diabetes, highlighting potential undiagnosed cases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Melanoma patients often undergo screening with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT).
- Fasting blood glucose is a key indicator of glycemic status and diabetes risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the glycemic status of melanoma patients using capillary fasting blood glucose (cFBG) measurements before FDG PET/CT.
- To identify predictors of elevated cFBG levels in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 336 melanoma patients at University Hospital Zurich.
- Measurement of cFBG levels and classification using American Diabetes Association guidelines.
- Multivariable linear regression to determine independent predictors of cFBG.
Main Results:
- 58% of patients had non-normal cFBG levels (≥100 mg/dL).
- Among patients without known diabetes, 56% had non-normal cFBG, with 7% possibly undiagnosed diabetes (≥126 mg/dL).
- Male gender, active disease, and subcutaneous fat were independent predictors of cFBG, not BMI or hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cFBG levels are prevalent in melanoma patients, including those without diagnosed diabetes.
- This highlights a critical need for enhanced glycemic screening and management strategies in melanoma care.
- Current risk factors like BMI may not adequately predict glycemic status in this population.
