Anaesthesia, Intensive Care, and Pain Management for the Cancer Patient

Book excerpt: One in three people will develop some kind of cancer in their lifetime. The overall cancer incidence has increased by 25% since 1975. Anaesthetic involvement in hospital interactions has been estimated at around 75%, and so anaesthetists are likely to have major input into the care of the cancer patient. This input may start with the preoperative assessment, but often extends to the intensive care unit and the management of both acute and chronic disease, or procedural related pain. This book is comprised of five main sections dealing with cancer, anaesthesia for cancer surgery, intensive care, pain management and supportive and palliative care. The chapters are authored by acknowledged specialists in their field of cancer patient management. The anaesthesia section discusses not just major surgery but includes the specific and subtle differences that exist in the diverse types of specialist cancer surgery. The pain section deals with the current status of several specific cancer pain problems with contemporary evidence and recent developments in management. This book also introduces novel ways of looking at conventional treatments such as the genetic aspects of opioid use. For a complete understanding of the cancer patient, other aspects of care are also considered, including psychological care and complementary medicines.