title: Superior vena cava syndrome as a presentation of metastatic prostate cancer.
abstract: Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is an uncommon complication of malignant disease caused by the obstruction of venous blood flow in the SVC. When present, a diagnosis of lung cancer or lymphoma will be made in approximately 95% of cases. Although other malignant diseases are occasionally associated with SVC, its occurrence in patients with prostate cancer is rare. We present a case of a patient presenting with SVC obstruction who was subsequently diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma. The patient has been successfully treated with GnRH agonist. This case reflects the importance of a full clinical assessment and pathological confirmation of suspected tumour prior to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Harbor Hospital Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. gusehs80@gmail.com
authors.forename: Hyun Don
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Ershler
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide