Funding could not be arranged, so the study was prematurely terminated

Surgery, perioperative stress, anaesthetics and analgesics may modulate the immunosurveillance mechanisms and overwhelm host defences that normally maintain a balance between immunity & carcinogenesis. This may lead to escape of cancer cells and tilt the scales toward a more protumorigenic microenvironment. Volatile agents, in particular, have been shown to exhibit profound immunosuppressive effects. In comparison, propofol has a favorable profile and inhibits cancer cell activity. Determining "cancer-protective" role of TIVA with propofol presents an exciting window of opportunity that has potential to improve outcomes in cancer patients undergoing resection surgery

For the current study, consenting patients planned for upfront surgery, will be randomly allocated to 2 groups- 20 patients each group: Propofol TCI-based Total Intravenous Anesthesia group (Propofol group) and Sevoflurane group (Sevoflurane group), according to computer generated randomization number.

Patients will be monitored routinely with ECG, non invasive blood pressure, and a pulse- oximetery (SPO2), every 5 min. An intravenous access will be established with 20- 22 G cannula. A perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis will be given to all patients. None of the patients will receive any premedication.

After preoxygenation with 100% O2 for 3 min: group specific separate interventions will be performed.

Patient will be ventilated with TV of 6-8ml/kg,respiratory rate will be adjusted to maintain end-tidal CO2 value between 40 - 45 mmHg. Crystalloids will be used for hydration (4-6 ml/kg/h), and intraoperative volume deficits will be replaced by additional administration of a solution according to clinical needs. For TIVA group, the depth of anaesthesia will be monitored using Bispectral Index, with target BIS value between 40 and 60. For Sevoflurane group, the depth of anaesthesia will be monitored using MAC, with target MAC value between 0.8 and 1. Half hour before conclusion of surgery, all patients will receive 0.1mg/kg of ondansetron as prophylaxis for PONV. At the end of surgery, muscle relaxation will be reversed by glycopyrrolate (10mcg/kg) and neostigmine (50mcg/kg).

Patients in both groups will receive intra-venous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug 1-1.5mg/kg diclofenac + Paracetamol 1gm just before conclusion of surgery for postoperative analgesia. Postoperative pain & PONV will be managed as per institutional protocols.

ASSAY Peripheral blood (5ml) will be collected from patients in EDTA vaccutainer and (5ml) in another vaccutainer containing clot activator. The sample will be collected at following time points.

1. before anaesthesia (Tpre)
2. after removal of tumor intraoperative (Ti)
3. 2 h after surgery (T2h) , and
4. (T24h) 24 hours after surgery

Estimation of serum cytokines : by sandwich ELISA and by cytokine bead array (CBA) method.

Expression of various lymphocyte subsets (CD3+ T cells, CD4+ helper T cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, γδT cells, NK cells and B cells) by flow cytometry

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Women with histopathologically (biopsy/FNAC) proven breast carcinoma with Resectable disease (T 1-4, N 0-1, M 0) [Stage I-III].
2. Willing for upfront modified radical mastectomy.
3. ASA Physical Status 1-2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. use of morphine or on steroid therapy upto 3 months before surgery;
2. history of substance abuse or cognitive dysfunction;
3. endocrine disorders- diabetes, hypothyroid;
4. history of HIV, Hep-B or Hep-C infections;
5. Contraindication to analgesics or anaesthetic drugs;
6. Pregnant & lactating women