Summary There is much evidence from basic science studies that surgical treatment of cancer disease is associated with an increased likelihood of cancer dissemination and metastasis. Relevant contributory factors might well be the use of certain anaesthetic techniques or drugs. On the other hand, drugs or anaesthetic techniques that effectively suppress surgical stress appear to have a protective effect that directly benefits the long-term course of the malignant dis­ease. Anaesthetic management of such cancer patients might therefore potentially influence long-term outcome, and the choice of anaesthetic drugs might be of decisive importance. For example, regional anaesthetic techniques may be a beneficial approach. The present review summarises the results of current research into factors affecting the perioperative outcome after cancer surgery, and provides an overview of potentially useful techniques and anaesthetic drugs.