Cancer: new therapies and new approaches to recurring problems

Caring for patients with cancer presents unique challenges to anesthetists. Chemotherapeutic regimens can cause cardiac, pulmonary, and other complications that will influence the anesthesia provider's care. New surgical techniques, including vertebroplasty, vertebrectomy, radiofrequency ablation of the liver, and sentinel node biopsy, present issues related to the surgical techniques and drugs administered. Recurring problems, including tumors of the airway and cardiac tamponade, continue to present challenges for anesthesia providers. Many patients with cancer who undergo surgery not only have acute pain related to the surgical procedure but also have chronic pain that will influence anesthetic and postoperative pain management. This Journal course discusses new therapies and procedures and approaches to recurring problems in cancer care.