Cancer affects individuals across all age groups, with epidemiological data indicating a steady rise in the global cancer burden—a trend that closely parallels population growth and aging. As a substantial proportion of cancer patients will require surgical intervention during the course of their disease, this increasing incidence has led to a corresponding surge in demand for cancer-related surgical procedures worldwide. This chapter aims to contextualize the expanding role of oncoanesthesia within the framework of multidisciplinary cancer care, highlighting its influence not only on perioperative outcomes but also on long-term survivorship. To deliver optimal care, healthcare professionals involved in the perioperative management of oncology patients must possess a comprehensive understanding of evolving demographic trends, cancer epidemiology, tumor biology, and the perioperative implications of emerging oncologic therapies. As cancer care continues to evolve, anesthesiologists are increasingly recognized as integral contributors to improving both immediate and longterm outcomes in this growing patient population.
Keywords: Anesthesia, Cancer patients, GI tumors, Immunosuppression, Metastasis, NK cells, Oncoanesthesia, Perioperative management, Regional anesthesia, Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), Volatile anesthetics.
