Surgical critical care for cancer patients.

Progress in cancer surgery and changes in philosophy have resulted in greater numbers of critically ill surgical oncology patients. The effects of cancer and prior exposure to cancer therapies increase the risks for postsurgical problems. Life-threatening cardiopulmonary sequela and patients undergoing liver resections and transplantation are examples of problems that require the knowledge and skill of critical care nurses. Critical care surgical nurses face new challenges by merging their surgical nursing expertise with principles of cancer care.