Superior vena cava obstruction in prostate cancer

This report describes the case history of a man with adenocarcinoma of the prostate. After an initial response to maximal androgen blockade, he developed massive mediastinal and cervical lymphadenopathy, causing left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and superior vena cava obstruction. Biopsy confirmed metastatic prostate cancer and he responded well to local radiotherapy. The hormonal treatment of advanced prostate cancer is discussed.