Background: Vena cava superior syndrome results of an obstruction of superior vein cava(SVC)and/or brachiocaphalic venous troncs by extrinsic compression and/or by tumoral or cruoric thrombosis. The bronchopulmonary cancer represents the most frequent aetiology.
Aim: The aim of this study is to establish clinical, radiological, evolutive profiles and modalities of treatment of neoplasic vena cava superior syndrome independently of its histological type.
Methods: It is a retrospective study about 20 patients presenting vena cava superior syndrome complicating primary bronchopulmonary cancer, hospitalised between January 2000 and December 2007 in Ibn Nafiss department in Abderrahmen Mami hospital.
Results: All patients were males with an average of 57,8 years. Vena cava superior syndrome had revealed cancer in 60% of cases. It was metachrone in 40% of the patients. The most frequent histological type was small cell lung cancer. Treatment was proceeded in 2 steps, symptomatic and etiologic for the bronchopulmonary cancer.
Conclusion: The bronchopulmonary cancer is the most frequent aetiology of vena cava superior syndrome. Its treatment is actually well codified.