Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Caused by Pericardial Effusion in a Lung Cancer Patient

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is obstruction of blood flow through the SVC and is characterized by facial and neck swelling and distended veins over the chest. It is a medical emergency and most often manifests in patients with a malignant disease process within the thorax. Lung cancer and lymphoma account for more than 90% of cases of SVC syndrome [1]. The most common underlying malignancy is carcinoma of the lung, in part because of the proximity to the heart and its common prevalence [2]. Lung cancer is the most common primary tumor, and adenocarcinoma the most frequent cell type of cardiac metastases [3]. Breast cancers, melanoma, and lymphoma are also likely noncardiac tumors that involve the pericardium [4].