Lung cancer invading the superior vena cava – surgical treatment. A short and up-to-date review

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of lung cancer, occurring in approximately 5-10% of cases. There are difficulties in the process of surgical treatment of SVC infiltrated by lung tumors but the contribution of technological evolution and innovation is promising. At the same time, the amelioration of survival rates of patients subjected to surgical treatment is equally promising. The reported outcomes of surgical treatment for SVC invasion due to lung tumors vary depending on the extent of the tumor and the patient's overall health status. However, studies clearly suggest that surgical treatment can improve survival and quality of life in selected patients. The literature review showed that the surgical approach to lung cancer invading the SVC constitutes the most indispensable treatment which helps to achieve the long-term survival of patients.

Surgical resection of an intraluminal tumor in the azygos vein with an unknown primary site causing superior vena cava syndrome

“…12,13 SVC resection and reconstruction are considered the treatment of choice for SVC invasion by lung malignancies, especially for those without lymph node involvement, with reported median survival times of up to 12 months and 5-year survival rates of 30%-50%, compared with 5% for radiotherapy. [14][15][16] Additionally, although surgeries can be technically challenging and operative mortalities of mediastinal tumors invading the SVC can be up to 10%, operative mortalities of cardiac tumor are reported to be less than 1%. 16,17 Therefore, we believe that surgery should be considered a treatment of choice for SVC syndrome with intraluminal malignancy, especially in cases when complete resection is evaluated as feasible.…”

“… 14 , 15 , 16 Additionally, although surgeries can be technically challenging and operative mortalities of mediastinal tumors invading the SVC can be up to 10%, operative mortalities of cardiac tumor are reported to be less than 1%. 16 , 17 Therefore, we believe that surgery should be considered a treatment of choice for SVC syndrome with intraluminal malignancy, especially in cases when complete resection is evaluated as feasible.…”