Outcomes of regional anesthesia in cancer patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the current evidence on the impact of regional anesthesia or analgesia on cancer recurrence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Preclinical investigations suggest that regional anesthesia could have a positive impact on reducing cancer growth and progression. Regional anesthesia is also associated with better immunological and stress-related outcomes in patients undergoing major oncological surgery. Most recent retrospective studies do not show any benefit of regional anesthesia or analgesia on cancer recurrence or recurrence-free survival.

SUMMARY

The available clinical evidence does not support the use of any anesthesia technique to improve the cancer-related survival after major oncological surgery. The results from four randomized controlled trials will shed light on this critical topic in perioperative medicine.