Uperior vena cava syndrome (svcs) was first described in l757 in a patient with a syphilitic

MALIGNANT AND BENIGN CAUSES

Malignant Causes

The most common malignancy associated with

SVCS is lung cancer, followed by lymphomas and

metastatic tumors to the mediastinum (Table 1). 

Lung tumors. 

Approximately 5% to 15% of patients

with bronchogenic carcinoma develop SVCS. The syn-

drome is four times more likely to occur in patients

with right-sided tumors of the thoracic cavity. These

lesions often cause obstructive pneumonitis, which usu-

ally occurs with involvement of right hilar and medi-

astinal lymph nodes. Among the types of lung cancers,

all histologic cell types are associated with SVCS.