Adverse Effects of Chemotherapy and the Interaction With Anesthesia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Many cancer patients have their main tumors surgically removed with the goal of curing them, or as part of palliative care. When a patient receives general anesthesia, the side effects of the administered chemotherapy regimens must be considered, especially those that may have significant repercussions during anesthetic care. The aim of this study is to review the existing literature to identify adverse effects of chemotherapy and known interactions between chemotherapy and anesthetic drugs, analyze the mechanisms underlying these interactions, and discuss relevant clinical implications. This integrative review searched for articles using the search terms: chemotherapy, anesthetic drugs, interaction, adverse effects, and drug combination. Negative perioperative outcomes may be related to the chemotherapy. Regarding the type of oncological surgery, factors such as blood loss, hypothermia, and extended operative time influence the increase in morbimortality. Many anesthetic drugs are related to immunomodulation and interact with chemotherapy, which may get better or worse cancer patients. It is crucial for anesthetists to have a comprehensive understanding of the potential adverse effects of chemotherapy drugs and their interactions with anesthetics.