Introduction: Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome (SVCS) is a life-threatening occurrence that necessitates prompt treatment. At present, endovascular stenting is proposed as a first-line treatment to relieve symptoms. We assessed the effectiveness, safety and outcome of SVC stent positioning in patients affected with advanced cancer.
Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing stent positioning in the SVC for neoplasms from January 2002 to December 2018 form the basis of this retrospective study. Demographic data, risk factors, associated diseases, symptoms at presentation according to the score proposed by Kishi and the type of SVCS according to Sanford and Doty were collected. Minor and major complications were recorded. Suspected stent occlusion was confirmed by means of recurrence of symptoms followed by a confirmatory computed tomography (CT).
Results: Thirty-four (81%) patients had a nonresectable lung tumour invading or compressing the SVC. Five (12%) patients had a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and three (7%) had metastatic lymphadenopathies. Nitinol stents (Memotherm®) were employed in 19 (45%) patients, and steel stents (Wallstent™) in the remaining 23 (55%) patients. Thirty-five (85%) patients died during follow up for disease progression and the overall survival rate at 24 months was 11% (standard error (SE)=0.058). Thirteen patients (32%) had a recurrence of SVCS because of stent thrombosis in three (23%) and extrinsic compression from uncontrolled cancer progression in ten (77%). The overall symptom-free interval at 24 months was 57% (SE=0.095).
Conclusions: We recommend the use of the endovascular procedure as a first-line treatment in locally advanced or metastatic tumour in the presence of SVCS.
Keywords: Lung cancer; Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; Superior vena cava self-expanding stent; Superior vena cava syndrome.