The role of perioperative factors in the prognosis of cancer patients: A coin has two sides

Cancer, the second leading cause of mortality globally, poses a significant health challenge. The conventional treatment for solid tumors involves surgical intervention, followed by chemo- and radio-therapies as well as target therapies, but the recurrence and metastasis of cancers remain a major issue. Anesthesia is essential for ensuring patient comfort and safety during surgical procedures. Despite its crucial role during the surgery, the precise effect of anesthesia on cancer patient outcomes is not clearly understood. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the various anesthesia strategies used in the perioperative care of cancer patients and their potential effects on patients' prognosis, but understanding the complex relationship between anesthesia and cancer outcomes is crucial, given the complexity in cancer treaments. Examining potential implications of anesthesia strategies on cancer patient prognosis may help better understand treatment efficacy and risk factors of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Through a detailed analysis of anesthesia practices in cancer surgery, this review aims to provide insights that may lead to improving the existing anesthesia protocols and ultimately reduce risk factors for patient outcomes in the field of oncology.