# A bibliometric and visual analysis of colorectal cancer-diabetes comorbidity

## TL;DR

This paper analyzes global research trends on colorectal cancer and diabetes comorbidity, identifying growth in studies and key research themes like metformin's potential and molecular mechanisms.

## Contribution

The study provides a bibliometric and visual analysis of CRC-DM comorbidity research, highlighting emerging thematic foci and collaborative networks.

## Key findings

- Annual publications on CRC-DM comorbidity increased significantly after 2005.
- The U.S. and China are leading contributors, with institutions like Harvard and Birmingham Women’s Hospital being prominent.
- Key research clusters include metformin’s therapeutic potential and diabetes-associated centrosome amplification.

## Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC), a leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, exhibits a complex bidirectional relationship with diabetes mellitus (DM). Epidemiological evidence indicates that DM significantly increases the risk of CRC, while CRC progression may exacerbate diabetic complications; however, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the literature on COLORECTAL CANCER-DIABETES comorbidity to identify research trends, collaborative networks, and emerging thematic foci.

We performed a comprehensive search in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database to retrieve relevant literature. Using analytical and visualization tools, including CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we examined publication trends, major contributing countries and institutions, collaboration networks, and keyword evolution to map the current research landscape in this field.

Annual publication output on COLORECTAL CANCER-DIABETES comorbidity increased markedly after 2005, reflecting growing recognition of the metabolic-cancer interplay and expanded research funding. The United States and China were the dominant contributors, with Harvard University and Birmingham Women’s Hospital among the most productive institutions. Keyword analysis revealed emerging research clusters such as “diabetes-associated centrosome amplification,” “metformin’s therapeutic potential,” and “anastomotic leakage.”

Research on the interplay between colorectal cancer and diabetes is gaining increasing priority. Future efforts should focus on elucidating molecular mechanisms—such as oxidative stress and angiogenesis dysregulation—refining epidemiological models, and translating findings into clinical practice. Developing precision medicine strategies for CRC screening and treatment in diabetic populations, alongside the exploration of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, will be essential to improve patient prognosis.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12672-026-04447-w.