Oncologic Emergencies Dr Karenza Alexis

Non-malignant causes

• Thrombosis (most common cause in cancer patients)
• Substernal thyroid goiter, TB, RT, sarcoidosis

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

• Signs and symptoms

• Facial edema/ erythema
• Dilatation of veins of upper body
• Laryngeal or glossal edema
• Periorbital edema
• Dyspnea
• Cough
• Orthopnea
• Arm and neck edema
• Hoarseness
• Dysphagia
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• syncope

• Symptoms worse with positional changes: bending forward, stooping or lying down

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

• Can Result in:

• Life-threatening cerebral edema
• Laryngeal edema- airway compromise

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

• Diagnosis- determine etiology

• Thorough Physical Examination
• CXR
• May show mediastinal widening
• Doppler USG of jugular or subclavian vein
• Differentiate thrombus from extrinsic compression
• CT scan or MRI
• Bronchoscopy
• thoracoscopy