Superior vena cava syndrome caused by invasive epidermoid carcinoma
Halkic, N.; Henchoz, L.; Gintzburger, D.; Nordback, P.; Ksontini, R.; Boumghar, M.
Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 41(3): 499-501
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9509 PMID: 10952350 Document Number: 515244
Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Malignant SVC syndrome is generally considered a contraindication to curative resection, although palliative bypasses are done for symptoms that do not respond to medical therapy. However, a majority of patients with such advanced disease die of complications caused by the primary tumor rather than distant metastasis. We present the case of one patient with lung cancer invading the mediastinal structures. Combined resection and replacement of the SVC with a segment of Dacron vascular graft was performed. Postoperative survival time was 24 months.