Archive | 2021
Anesthetic Concerns in Endocrine Cancers
Abstract
Anesthesiologists concerned with the perioperative care of patients scheduled for major oncological surgery have to address many additional issues compared to patients presenting for major non-oncological surgery. The psychological preparation and counseling of both patients and caregivers are more intense given the anxiety related to outcome, quality of life, etc. Consideration has to be given to effects of previous chemotherapy (blood counts, cardiac function) and radiation (airway issues). The provision of effective analgesia is mandatory, along with anti emetic prophylaxis in patient populations susceptible to emesis. Vascular port placement may be needed. If the disease in question happens to be a functional endocrine tumor, the perioperative care becomes complex, and the anesthesiologist needs to have a thorough knowledge of the systemic effects of the disease so that patients may be optimized and morbidity related to the endocrine disorder minimized.