Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is a relatively common complication of lung cancer or lymphoma, and in fact is often the initial manifestation of these diseases. However, benign causes also exist, and physicians should not automatically assume that SVC syndrome is due to cancer. A definitive histologic diagnosis of cancer should be obtained before starting radiotherapy or chemotherapy to treat SVC syndrome.