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Fundamental Principles of Cancer Biology: Does It Have Relevance to the Perioperative Period?

  • Cancer Anesthesia (B Riedel, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Malignant tumors are characterized by their ability to metastasize, which is the main cause of cancer-related mortality. Besides intrinsic alternations in cancer cells, the tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor growth and metastasis. Ample evidence suggests that the perioperative period and the excision of the primary tumor can promote the development of metastases and can influence long-term cancer patient outcomes. The role of cancer biology and its impact on the perioperative period are of increasing interest. This review will present evidence regarding fundamental principles of cancer biology, especially tumor microenvironment, and discuss new therapeutic opportunities in the perioperative timeframe. We will also discuss the regulatory signaling that could be relevant to various aspects of surgery and surgical responses, which could facilitate the metastatic process by directly or indirectly affecting malignant tissues and the tumor microenvironment. We address the influences of surgery-related stress, anesthetic and analgesic agents, blood transfusion, hypothermia, and β-adrenergic blockade administration on tumor growth and metastasis. Through an improved understanding of these processes, we will provide suggestions for potential new perioperative approaches aimed at improving treatment outcomes of cancer patients.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the following for funding support: United States National Institutes of Health (CA109298, P50CA083639, P50CA098258, UH2 TR000943, CA177909), CPRIT RP140106, RP110595, the Department of Defense (OC073399, OC120547); the Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program; a Program Project Development Grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Inc. and the Betty Anne Asche Murray Distinguished Professorship. Dr. Bernhard Riedel wishes to thank Drs. Donal Buggy, Vijaya Gottumukkala, and Erica Sloan for their kind assistance in the development of this issue and the reviewing of the articles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecologic Oncology & Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77584, USA

    Li Jiang, Alpa M. Nick & Anil K. Sood

  2. Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77584, USA

    Anil K. Sood

  3. Center for RNA Interference and Non-Coding RNA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77584, USA

    Anil K. Sood

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  1. Li Jiang
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Correspondence to Anil K. Sood.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Cancer Anesthesia.

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Jiang, L., Nick, A.M. & Sood, A.K. Fundamental Principles of Cancer Biology: Does It Have Relevance to the Perioperative Period?. Curr Anesthesiol Rep 5, 250–256 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-015-0122-9

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