The evolution and key components of oncoanaesthesia: a narrative review

Oncoanaesthesia is a specialised branch of anaesthesia dedicated to enhancing outcomes, prioritising patient safety and improving the overall care of patients with cancer during surgery. We outline the global epidemiology of cancer, emphasising the necessity for this subspecialty, and discuss the criteria supporting its establishment.

We performed searches of electronic databases to identify relevant peer-reviewed publications. The search was designed to capture a wide range of study types, including randomised controlled trials; retrospective studies; meta-analyses; and systematic reviews. The titles and abstracts were screened to identify publications relevant to oncoanaesthesia, cancer recurrence and return to intended therapy. The reference lists were manually reviewed to identify relevant papers for consideration.

This review highlights the growth of oncoanaesthesia over the past decade. Research opportunities abound in areas such as: the impact of anaesthesia on cancer recurrence; the use of enhanced recovery after surgery programmes; patient blood management; peri-operative nutrition; techniques for modulating peri-operative inflammatory responses; and strategies to reduce the time to return to intended oncological treatment.

By integrating various subspecialties within oncology centres, oncoanaesthesia ensures a thorough and holistic approach to both curative and palliative cancer care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and providing better support for families and caregivers throughout the peri-operative period.