Superior vena cava syndrome risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

The most potent risk factor in the development of superior vena cava syndrome is intrathoracic malignancies. Other common risk factors include thrombosis (due to intravascular devices), postradiation fibrosis, and mediastinitis.

• Common risk factors in the development of superior vena cava syndrome are:
  • Lymph node metastasis
  • Non–small cell lung cancer
  • Small cell lung cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Metastatic lesions (most commonly from breast and testicular cancers)
  • Infections
  • Thyroid goiter
  • Iatrogenic intravascular devices
  • Pericardial constriction
  • Idiopathic sclerosing mediastinitis
  • Aortic aneurysm

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