Challenges in research related to perioperative cancer care and cancer outcomes.

Surgery is one of the most commonly used treatments to attempt cure of early-stage and some late-stage solid tumours. Paradoxically, surgery itself and some of the medical interventions involved in the perioperative care of cancer patients may be associated with an increased chance of metastasis. Researchers and perioperative clinicians have studied the phenomenon of surgery-induced immunosuppression and postoperative cancer recurrence for several decades. Unfortunately, the translation of basic science research into human studies is not clear. Moreover, a recent proliferation of retrospective studies with conflicting results and significant limitations has not shed light on the understanding of whether regional anaesthesia, anti-inflammatory interventions or blockade of the sympathetic response improve survival after cancer surgery. Ultimately, randomised controlled trials are required to answer some of the questions raised by preclinical and retrospective studies; however, investigators face many challenges in conducting these trials. Unless sufficient funding is obtained and cooperative research is developed in the near future, clinicians will not know whether anticancer perioperative interventions are useful to improve cancer-related survivals.

Cata JP ，Kurz A 《-》

Understanding clinical strategies that may impact tumour growth and metastatic spread at the time of cancer surgery.

The role of the perioperative period during cancer surgery and its impact on patients' long-term cancer outcomes are of increasing interest. Anticipation and prevention of perioperative immunosuppression and targeted therapeutic interventions that translate to reduced cancer recurrence are increasingly being explored. These interventions may focus on reducing the systemic inflammatory response, the regional lymphatic flow induced by surgical inflammation and exposure to perioperative immunosuppressive agents. The challenge has been to provide evidence-based links between these hypothesised cancer 'reducing' strategies, our knowledge of cancer biology and tangible long-term clinical outcomes of improved recurrence-free and overall survival. Anaesthesiologists caring for patients with cancer may preferentially employ regional anaesthesia techniques and anti-inflammatory agents to minimise perioperative immunosuppression and preserve perioperative homeostasis. However, prospective trials powered for long-term cancer outcomes are necessary to provide an evidence base before these strategies are to be recommended for routine clinical practice.

Hiller J ，Brodner G ，Gottschalk A 《-》

Does regional anaesthesia and analgesia or opioid analgesia influence recurrence after primary cancer surgery? An update of available evidence.

Cancer continues to be a key cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and its overall incidence continues to increase. Anaesthetists are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing cancer patients, for surgical resection to debulk or excise the primary tumour, or for surgical emergencies in patients on chemotherapy or for the analgesic management of disease- or treatment-related chronic pain. Metastatic recurrence is a concern. Surgery and a number of perioperative factors are suspected to accelerate tumour growth and potentially increase the risk of metastatic recurrence. Retrospective analyses have suggested an association between anaesthetic technique and cancer outcomes, and anaesthetists have sought to ameliorate the consequences of surgical trauma and minimise the impact of anaesthetic interventions. Just how anaesthesia and analgesia impact cancer recurrence and consequent survival is very topical, as understanding the potential mechanisms and interactions has an impact on the anaesthetist's ability to contribute to the successful outcome of oncological interventions. The outcome of ongoing, prospective, randomized trials are awaited with interest.

Ash SA ，Buggy DJ 《-》

[The perioperative period in cancer surgery: a critical moment! Is there a role for regional anesthesia in preventing cancer recurrence?].

Surgical treatment of cancer is usually necessary but it can paradoxically aggravate the patient outcome by increasing the risk of recurrence. Many perioperative factors have been shown to contribute to the dissemination of the tumor: surgery itself, stress, inflammation, pain, anaesthetic drugs, blood transfusion, etc. The type of anaesthesia chosen in the cancer patient could then be crucial and influence the evolution of the disease. Experimental, preclinical and retrospective studies have suggested that a regional anesthesia associated or not with a general anesthesia for carcinologic surgery might reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. This text reviews the factors promoting the recurrence of tumors after carcinologic surgery and the potential possibilities of protection associated with the type of anaesthesia chosen.

Beloeil H ，Nouette-Gaulain K 《-》

Review article: the role of the perioperative period in recurrence after cancer surgery.

Gottschalk A ，Sharma S ，Ford J ，Durieux ME ，Tiouririne M ... -  《-》