[Etiologic considerations regarding superior vena cava syndrome]

Literature review indicates a change in the etiological trends of the Superior Cava Syndrome. While during the first half of the twentieth century, aortic aneurysms, malignant tumors and mediastinitis were its main causes, nowadays talking about obstruction of the superior cava is the same than talking about obstruction secondary to a malignant cause (85-90%). Benign affections account for 10-15% and, among them, intravenous iatrogenic foreign bodies constitute a new chapter as cause of thrombosis. Given that small cells simplex carcinoma is the most common cause of SCS and given that benign processes or other chemosensitive tumors can be present, it is currently necessary to secure the histologic diagnosis before starting the treatment.