Systemic anti-cancer therapy and anaesthesia: a narrative review

Cancer research has revolutionised the treatment, quality of life and life expectancy of people living with cancer. Systemic anti-cancer treatments have expanded to involve not only cytotoxic drugs, but targeted drugs and immunotherapy. Although highly effective in many patients, these drugs can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening adverse reactions. As part of their treatment, many patients living with cancer will be offered both systemic anti-cancer therapy and surgery, and many patients will undergo recurrent episodes of both with the aims of cure, palliation or prolongation of life expectancy. It is important for anaesthetists to understand the effects of systemic anti-cancer therapy on their patients.

An electronic literature search using was conducted in May 2024 for peer-reviewed articles in English. An initial search of the terms 'anaesthesia' and 'chemotherapy' revealed that existing review literature was tailored towards the neoadjuvant setting and prompted this review to include the complications of targeted therapies, emergency care and intra-operative administration of systemic anti-cancer therapy to reflect this evolving field. A narrative approach was taken to discuss common regimens and their complications.

The review encompasses a wide range of sub-topics including pharmacology; physiology; peri-operative medicine; specialist surgery; adverse events; and safety. Data from multicentre trials that form the basis of current treatment regimens and practice were prioritised during the selection process. Smaller studies, case series and case reports were included to illustrate the rarer but clinically significant adverse effects of specific therapies.

It is important for anaesthetists to have a comprehensive understanding of the effects of systemic anti-cancer therapies, including cytotoxic and immunotherapies. There are many potential toxicities and complications associated with these treatments, particularly in the context of emergency surgery and the administration of cytotoxic drugs within the operating theatre environment.