Superior vena cava syndrome due to metastasis from urothelial cancer: A case report and literature review

• Main Authors: Hironobu Wakeda, Ryoichi Hamasuna, Yujiro Asada, Toshiyuki Kamoto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Urology Annals
• Subjects: Metastatic urothelial cancer; Superior vena cava syndrome; urothelial cancer
• Online Access: http://www.urologyannals.com/article.asp?issn=0974-7796;year=2013;volume=5;issue=4;spage=291;epage=293;aulast=Wakeda
• ISSN: 0974-7796; 0974-7834

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is caused by compression or obstruction of the SVC. We report here in a case of SVC syndrome due to lymph node metastasis from urothelial cancer to the mediastinum and lung. The origin of metastasis was determined by computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy of metastases. After radiotherapy to the mediastinum with glucocorticoid failed, anticancer pharmacotherapy including paclitaxel, gemicitabine, and cisplatin proved effective and SVC syndrome resolved. But patient died from cerebral bleeding from newer brain metastases 10 months later.