Outcome of intravascular stent in superior vena cava syndrome

Background: Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is one of the oncologic emergency. The patients under life-threatening conditions require urgent treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and stent placement. It has been reported that stent placement provide a palliative benefit. However, indication for treatment of stenting are not well defined. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of intravascular stent in SVCsyndrome. Methods: The subjects consisted of 11 patients who were undergone stent placement in Matsuyama Red Cross Hospital between June 2010 and April 2013. Contrast enhanced CT was made in all patients. Stent placement was made with self-expanding stent. Results: All patients had lung cancer (5 in adenocarcinoma, 4 in small cell carcinoma and 2 in non-small lung cancer). Seven patients previously had received chemotherapy and /or radiation therapy. In all patients, correct positioning of stents was achieved. Their symptoms completely disappeared within 6.8 hours. The median survival time was 133 days (range, 31 to 573 days). Major side effects were not observed. Conclusion: In our study, stent placement dramatically improved symptoms and quality of life. Stenting increased the survival benefit, especially in patients with improved performance status.