Does the Choice of Anaesthesia Affect Cancer? A Molecular Crosstalk between Theory and Practice

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In recent years, there has been an increasing scientific interest in the interaction between anaesthesia and cancer development. Retrospective studies show that the choice of anaesthetics perioperatively may influence cancer outcome and cancer recurrence; however, these studies show contradictory results. Reviewing the recent and relevant literature for the biological effects of anaesthetics on cancer cells in comparison to the clinical effects, it was found that sevoflurane, propofol, opioids and lidocaine are likely to display direct biological effects on cancer cells. However, significant effects are only found in studies with exposure to high concentrations of anaesthetics for longer than practical durations, therefore incomparable to their clinical use. ABSTRACT: In recent years, there has been an increasing scientific interest in the interaction between anaesthesia and cancer development. Retrospective studies show that the choice of anaesthetics may influence cancer outcome and cancer recurrence; however, these studies show contradictory results. Recently, some large randomized clinical trials have been completed, yet they show no significant effect of anaesthetics on cancer outcomes. In this scoping review, we compiled a body of in vivo and in vitro studies with the goal of evaluating the biological effects of anaesthetics on cancer cells in comparison to clinical effects as described in recent studies. It was found that sevoflurane, propofol, opioids and lidocaine are likely to display direct biological effects on cancer cells; however, significant effects are only found in studies with exposure to high concentrations of anaesthetics and/or during longer exposure times. When compared to clinical data, these differences in exposure and dose–effect relation, as well as tissue selectivity, population selection and unclear anaesthetic dosing protocols might explain the lack of outcome.