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SVC Obstruction
Alternate Names : Superior Vena Cava Obstruction, Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
DefinitionSVC obstruction is a narrowing or obstruction of the superior vena cava -- the major vein draining the upper body.
Pictures & Images
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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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• Definition
• SVC Obstruction Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• SVC Obstruction Symptoms & Signs
• SVC Obstruction Prevention
• SVC Obstruction Diagnosis & Tests
• SVC Obstruction Treatment
• SVC Obstruction Prognosis
• SVC Obstruction Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
• Histoplasmosis
• Lung Cancer - Small Cell
• Pericarditis - Constrictive
• Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Thrombophlebitis
Tests & Exams
• Abdominal MRI
• Blood Pressure
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest MRI
• Chest X-Ray
• Coronary Angiography
• Doppler Ultrasound Exam of An Extremity
• Liver Scan
• Nuclear Ventriculography (MUGA or RNV)
• Thoracic CT
Other Topics
• Chemotherapy
• Chronic
• Consciousness - Decreased
• Dizziness
• Facial Swelling
• Fainting
• Headache
• Joint Swelling
• Swelling
Review Date : 5/13/2002
Reviewed By : William Matsui, M.D., Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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