The role of anesthesia in cancer surgery extends beyond mere perioperative management, signicantly impacting tumor pathophysiology and patient outcomes. This review examines the nuanced interactions between anesthetic agents and the body's immune system, focusing on how these interactions inuence tumor progression and recurrence. Volatile anesthetics, such as isourane and sevourane, suppress immune functions such as natural killer cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation, potentially increasing metastasis risks. In contrast, intravenous agents like propofol demonstrate less immunosuppression and may help preserve immune functions, offering potential protective effects against cancer recurrence. Furthermore, regional anesthesia techniques, which minimize the need for systemic opioids and volatile anesthetics, are associated with improved long-term oncological outcomes, including reduced metastasis rates and enhanced survival.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Orozco et al. (2024) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: