How may blood glucose change with cancer treatment?

• A. Blood glucose may be decreased due to chemotherapy.
• B. Blood glucose may be unchanged.
• C. Blood glucose may be elevated due to chemotherapy or corticosteroids.
• D. Blood glucose is unrelated to cancer therapy.

Answer: (C)

Blood glucose can rise during cancer treatment, especially when corticosteroids are used with chemotherapy. Corticosteroids promote glucose production in the liver and reduce how effectively insulin works in the body's tissues, which commonly pushes blood sugar up. The stress of cancer and its treatment also releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that raise glucose levels. Since many regimens include steroids to help with symptoms or side effects, elevated blood glucose is a well-recognized possibility. Monitoring is important, particularly for patients with diabetes or those receiving corticosteroids. While glucose levels can remain unchanged or vary for other reasons, the most consistent effect linked to cancer therapy is an increase in blood glucose.