Background　Excision surgery provides a chance of cure for patients with cancer, but most cancer-related deaths in patients who have received previous surgical treatment are caused by metastatic diseases. Recent research suggests that a few anesthetic agents or procedures can influence pathophysiology of metastasis in the postoperative period.　Objective　This review summarizes the evidence for an impact of anesthesia agents on patient outcome after cancer surgery, which provides effective anesthesia strategy.　Content　The development of tumor is closely related to the immune system monitoring. This review describes tumor immunity and the effects of various anesthetic agents and anesthesia techniques on tumor recurrence after surgery.　Trend　Only randomized, clinical trials can provide us with conclusive reports about the link between anesthesia and tumor recurrence, which is the key in improving surviving rate of cancer patients.