A scientometric mapping of sugar and cancer growth: Dynamism, visualization, and emerging patterns

Abstract

Background: This bibliometric analysis was designed to evaluate academic production regarding the effect of sugar on the growth of cancer in documents published since January 2019 and until January 2025. Materials and Methods: The bibliometric analysis included all documents indexed in Scopus with search criteria pertaining to sugar and cancer growth in the title or abstract, and published from January 2019 onward. Documents that did not indicate either criteria, duplicates, opinion pieces, editorials, conference abstracts, or those published in a language other than English would be excluded. The search process was conducted on January 9, 2025, using a specific search formula. The data were analyzed using Scopus, SciVal, Bibliometrix, and VOSviewer. Results: A total of 283 documents were evaluated, originating from 214 source publications. Over time, the annual rate of document production showed a decline of 29.65%. On average, authors in this research field remained active for 3.28 years, and each document received approximately 16.95 citations. Harvard University and Zhejiang University produced the most documents, followed by Lewis C. Cantley from Cornell University. The prominent journals were Cell Metabolism and Oncogene. The area of study remained focused on dietary causes related to cancer, with issues related to the keyword search of “metabolism,” “mouse,” “genetics,” and “carcinogenesis.” Remarkably, thematic evolution was captured along with the collaborations of international researchers, providing evidence of a global research network on the topic. Conclusion: This research is important for the identification of trends and priorities in cancer research and for informing future studies and public health policies. The results can be used to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer by maximizing resources and efforts in critical and emerging areas of cancer research.