Retrospective analysis of the superior vena cava syndrome in irradiated cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
A carcinoma is the underlying cause of superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) in 95-97% of patients. The aim of our study is to retrospectively analyse the outcome of patients after local radiotherapy compared to literature data.


METHODS
In 35 consecutively registered patients, irradiated because of SVCS, different primary carcinomas (lung, breast, head-and-neck, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) were ascertained. Distant metastases had already been diagnosed in 33 patients. Chemotherapy had previously been given in seven patients.


RESULTS
In 30 patients, radiotherapy obtained a reduction of symptoms within 5-9 days. However, in seven patients, radiotherapy had to be stopped early because of local progress and tumor induced complications. Local recurrences were observed in six patients. The 1-year overall survival rate was 15.6%. Survival rate depended significantly on the performance status (p < 0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on literature data our results are comparable regarding the incidence, the radio-oncological procedure and the response to treatment. These data confirm that radiotherapy is the standard treatment in most patients suffering from SVCS. However, it should be determined if endovascular stenting, which is more frequently considered in the last few years in patients with a tumor induced SVCS, may be a useful option as a simultaneous or sequentially given treatment to optimize the palliative effect.
Mose
Stephan
S
Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital, 60590 Frankfurt/Main. stephan.mose@sbk-vs.de
Stabik
Christina
C
Eberlein
Klaus
K
Ramm
Ulla
U
Böttcher
Heinz D
HD
Budischewski
Kai
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome