Anaesthesia for children with cancer

Question 1

Commonest causes of childhood cancer

Answer 1

• Leukaemia
• CNS tumour
• Lymphoma

Question 2

Anaesthetic considerations for patients with childhood cancer

Answer 2

• Mediastinal mass- causing airway collapse, superior vena cava syndrome, Horner’s syndrome
• Raised ICP- headaches, irritability, N&V
• Deranged electrolytes- tumour lysis syndrome (AVOID DEX)
• Coagulopathy
• Thrombocytopaenia
• Neutropenia
• Anaemia
• Chemotherapy-related cardiomyopathy
• Chemotherapy-related malnutrition

Question 3

Common procedures children with cancer require

Answer 3

• Diagnostic investigations- MRI, LP, biopsy
• Long-term vascular access
• PEG insertion
• Intrathecal chemotherapy- for leukaemia, lymphoma and CNS tumours