Guide To Treating Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Cancer Treatment

An incredibly common cause of superior vena cava syndrome is a tumor growing in the lung or lymph nodes near the vein. The superior vena cava has fairly thin walls and low interior pressure. As the tumor grows, it begins to press on the blood vessel from the outside, constricting the blood flow within. In this case, the main course of action is to treat the symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome while the proper cancer treatment is used to address the malignancy.

If the tumor responds to a treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation and begins to shrink, there will naturally be less pressure on the blood vessel. The easing of symptoms may be a sign the treatment is effective. Unfortunately, the prognosis for cancer patients with superior vena cava syndrome is not good, as the syndrome may indicate a tumor of significant size.