How is superior vena cava syndrome treated?
Rarely does superior vena cava syndrome constitute a medical emergency. The ABCs of care are always a priority, insuring that the Airway is well maintained, Breathing is adequate and the Circulation (blood pressure and heart rate) is stable. The patient may feel more comfortable in an upright position. Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic that will decrease the volume of fluid within the bloodstream. With less pressure pushing against the obstructed superior vena cava, symptoms may be temporarily relieved. Treatment needs to be directed to the underlying cause. If the cause is a tumor or cancer, the treatment plan will need to be customized to the patient’s condition and desires. Options include radiation with or without chemotherapy. Even with aggressive treatment with radiation, only 10 % of lung cancer patients with this syndrome survived to 30 months. Without any treatment, survival may be less than a month. Steroids [for example, methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol) or prednisone
