The aim of this thesis is to provide a systematic overview of literature regarding the effects of anaesthetics on immune system. The immune system is typically divided into innate and adaptive immunity. Perioperative immune response includes broad spectrum of alterations in host immunity and use of anaesthetic agents can modulate both adaptive and innate response. This review evaluates specific effects of commonly used volatile, intravenous and local anaesthetic agents and compares different anaesthetic techniques based on long-term outcome. Although it is known that general and regional anaesthesia mostly suppress immune response, it is reported that different anaesthetic agents may induce different immune cell responses so their specific effect can vary. Immunosuppression can be beneficial in reducing local and systemic inflammation, but negative effect is higher infection risk, so further studies are needed to enhance protective effects of anaesthetic agents. Except the modulation of surgical response, the anaesthetic agents seem to affect cancer cell processes and metastatic progression. Based on comparison of regional and general anaesthesia (intravenous and inhalational) in recent studies, the recommendation is to use regional anaesthesia in oncological surgery. It is important for anaesthesiologists planning perioperative care to take in consideration possible immunomodulatory effects of different anaesthetics and to choose proper anaesthetic technique for better postoperative outcome.