Abstract: The most common causes of cancer-related death are recurrence and metastasis. The relationship between surgery and anesthesia-induced immunosuppression and cancer recurrence and metastasis remains unclear. A variety of perioperative factors, including anesthetic drugs and techniques will affect the outcome of cancer patients. This article summarizes the main results and findings of different anesthesia-related drugs, techniques and perioperative factors on immune regulation, cancer recurrence and metastasis, providing a reference for the optimization of anesthesia strategies for cancer surgery.