Superior vena cava syndrome during chemotherapy for stage 3c fallopian tube adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Superior vena cava syndrome is most often encountered in patients with malignancies. The diagnosis constitutes an oncologic emergency with prompt treatment indicated to manage the acute symptoms. There are few reports describing the syndrome in patients with gynecologic malignancies and central venous catheters. Management has included treatment of the metastatic disease and anticoagulation/thrombolysis with catheter removal early in therapy.

CASE REPORT: The case described is the first report of a patient with fallopian tube carcinoma complicated by SVC syndrome. The complication was attributed to an implanted venous access port being utilized to give adjuvant combination chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Superior vena cava syndrome is rarely encountered in gynecologic oncology patients and constitutes a medical emergency. When encountered in the setting of an implanted catheter, thrombolysis and anticoagulation is an alternative to catheter removal in selected patients.