Superior vena cava syndrome causes

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Causes

Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is a relatively rare condition.

Most often it is caused by cancer or a tumor in the mediastinum (the area of the chest under the breastbone and between the lungs).

The types of cancer that can lead to this condition include:

• Breast cancer
• Lymphoma
• Metastatic lung cancer (lung cancer that spreads)
  • Small cell bronchogenic carcinoma( most common cause)
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
  • Adenocarcinoma of the lung
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Large cell carcinoma of the lung
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Thymic tumors

Superior vena cava obstruction can also be caused by noncancerous conditions that cause scarring. These conditions include:

• Histoplasmosis infection
• Inflammation of a vein (thrombophlebitis)
• Lung infections (such as tuberculosis)

Other causes of superior vena cava obstruction include:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Blood clots in the superior vena cava
• Constrictive pericarditis
• Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
• Catheters placed in the large veins of the upper arm and neck may cause blood clots in the superior vena cava.