[Diagnostic problems in patients with superior vena cava syndrome]

Diagnostical difficulties were shown in 275 patients with the superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) evaluated in the years 1970-1982. Men consisted 84 percent of the group. In 68 percent the symptoms preceded hospitalization by less than one month. 31 percent of the patients were treated without histopathological verification. In 83 percent the cause of the SVCS was lung cancer. Only in 10 patients (5.3%) non-malignant causes were present. Basing on analysis of their material the authors conclude that it it possible to make a diagnosis of SVCS etiology in the majority of the patients. This is mandatory because the etiology of this syndrome is variable, and the therapy may produce unwarranted and unjustified side effects in many cases.