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  • Title: [Superior vena cava syndrome].
    Author: Taguchi J, Kinoshita I, Akita H.
    Journal: Gan To Kagaku Ryoho; 2011 Apr; 38(4):518-23. PubMed ID: 21498977.
    Abstract:
    Superior vena cava(SVC)syndrome is one of the complication of malignant neoplasia, which often occurs in clinical practice. It is caused by obstruction of the SVC by invasion, extrinsic compression by adjacent pathologic processes, or by internal thrombus. They sometimes coexist. The increased venous pressure in the upper body caused by this syndrome results in edema of the head, neck, and arms, which is visually striking but generally of little clinical consequence. But edema may cause a functional compromise of the larynx or pharynx, causing dyspnea, stridor, cough, hoarseness, and dysphagia. Cerebral edema may lead to cerebral ischemia, confusion, coma, and possibly death. We therefore recognize the SVC syndrome as an oncologic emergency. The most common malignant cause of this disease is lung cancer. It is necessary to plan a management strategy after consideration of staging and the histopathologic diagnosis. The most useful imaging study for this disease is CT scanning of the chest with administration of contrast material. Management of the SVC syndrome associated with malignant disease includes both treatment of the cancer and relief of the symptoms of obstruction. Major therapeutic modalities are supportive care and medical management, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, placement of intravascular stent, and surgery. The presence of the SVC syndrome does not reduce the likelihood ofa cure for the underlying malignant condition, and should not compromise the choice of appropriate therapy.
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