Abstract
The superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) comprises various symptoms due to occlusion of the SVC, which can be easily obstructed by pathological conditions (eg, lung cancer, due to the low internal venous pressure within rigid structures of the thorax [trachea, right bronchus, aorta]). The resulting increased venous pressure in the upper body may cause edema of the head, neck, and upper extremities, often associated with cyanosis, plethora, and distended subcutaneous vessels. Despite the often striking clinical presentation, SVCS itself is usually not a life-threatening condition. Currently, randomized controlled trials on many clinically important aspects of SVCS are lacking. This review gives an interdisciplinary overview of the pathophysiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant SVCS.
- superior vena cava syndrome
- small-cell lung cancer
- SCLC
- non-small-cell lung cancer
- NSCLC
- lymphoma
- venous stenting
- emergency external beam radiation therapy
- glucocorticoids
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Philipp M Lepper MD, Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital of Saarland, D-66421 Homburg, Germany. E-mail: philipp.lepper{at}gmx.de.
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Drs Lepper and Ott are co-first authors of this paper.
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The authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
- Copyright © 2011 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.