Cancer Tsunami: Emerging Trends, Economic Burden, and Perioperative Implications

This review discusses global trends in cancer mortality and survival, the socioeconomic drivers of those trends, and recent innovations in cancer surgery.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Cancer, previously a disease primarily of wealthy countries, is rapidly becoming a leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries. Major economic forces driving global cancer trends include aging, frailty, and obesity. Alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of exercise also contribute to cancer types associated with modifiable causes. Surgery is responsible for 65% of cancer care globally, providing an opportunity for anesthesiologists to improve that care. Anesthesiologists can contribute to cancer remission through perioperative interventions that reduce risk of metastasis and speed return to intended oncologic therapy.

Cancer surgery comprises a large proportion of anesthetic caseload. Good outcomes come from high volume cancer centers using a multidisciplinary approach.