Anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Peri-operative mental health interventions for surgical oncology patients: a narrative synthesis and meta-analysis.
Oncologic surgeries are common and rates of depression and anxiety are high in the peri-operative period, potentially interfering with successful recovery. ⋯ Psychological and pharmacological interventions are effective at reducing pre-operative anxiety and immediate postoperative depression scores in patients having oncological surgery, but these benefits do not persist postoperatively. Hence, future research efforts should focus on development and testing of interventions that are effective and implementable within the peri-operative context.
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Cancer complicates approximately 1 in 2000 pregnancies, with increasing incidence due to factors such as increased maternal age, obesity and advancements in antenatal testing. Anaesthetists play a crucial role in managing pregnant patients with cancer, both during delivery and in providing anaesthesia for oncological treatments. This review explores the challenges in anaesthetic management and specific considerations for common cancers encountered in pregnant patients. ⋯ Effective and safe anaesthetic management of cancer in pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary approach to balance maternal and fetal safety, with a focus on careful planning and individualised care.
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Review
The increasing global burden of cancer: implications for anaesthesia and peri-operative medicine.
Most patients with cancer will require surgery at some point in their lifetime. As the global burden of cancer continues to increase, changes and challenges in cancer epidemiology and care are also borne peri-operatively. ⋯ Deeper engagement of anaesthetists in cancer care programmes will be instrumental in reducing postoperative complications; improving the quality of life for patients; enhancing population health; and contributing to improved global economies.
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The peri-operative period may create a biological environment conducive to cancer cell survival and dissemination. Microscopic residual tumours (micrometastases) can be dislodged even with excellent surgical technique. At the same time, the stress response from surgery can temporarily impair immune function and activate inflammatory processes, increasing the risk of tumour proliferation. ⋯ There is a complex interplay between anaesthetic and analgesic techniques and cancer outcomes. Despite promising data from laboratory experimental models, the balance of available clinical trials indicates an equivalent influence of all evaluated anaesthetic techniques on long-term oncologic outcomes, except, possibly, for peritumoral or intraperitoneal local anaesthetic infiltration.
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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. ⋯ 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.