Metastatic disease manifestations - superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction
Description
- Obstruction of SVC flow -> venous hypertension in the head, neck and upper limbs
- Rarely an immediate emergency - collaterals develop over weeks
- *The exceptions: stridor from airway compromise, and cerebral oedema with altered conscious state - these are emergencies*
- Getting tissue before treating is usually the priority, because the commonest causes (SCLC, lymphoma, germ cell tumour) are exquisitely treatment-sensitive and steroids/radiotherapy destroy diagnostic material
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