Superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction is a relatively rare condition. Most often it is caused by variety of cancers that can be found in the mediastinum (the area of the chest under the breastbone and between the lungs).
These can include lymphomas, cancer of the lung with extension into the mediastinum, breast cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and thymic tumors. Superior vena cava syndrome can also be caused by non cancerous conditions that cause chronic fibrosis (scarring).
These can include lung infections, such as tuberculosis, histoplasmosis infection, and thrombophlebitis (particularly extension of thrombophlebitis of superficial veins or the subclavian vein). Other causes of superior vena cava obstruction include aortic aneurysm, constrictive pericarditis, and goiters.
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