# A Superior Squeeze: Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Secondary to Small Cell Lung Cancer

## TL;DR

A 59-year-old woman with facial and arm swelling was found to have a severe case of superior vena cava syndrome caused by undiagnosed small cell lung cancer.

## Contribution

This case report highlights a rare and severe presentation of SVC syndrome due to previously undetected small cell lung cancer.

## Key findings

- A right suprahilar mass was found to compress the SVC and a branch of the right pulmonary artery.
- Immunostaining confirmed the mass to be small cell lung cancer.
- The patient had bilateral pulmonary emboli in addition to SVC compression.

## Abstract

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is an uncommon yet potentially fatal syndrome occurring after intrinsic or extrinsic compression to the SVC. While there are multiple emerging etiologies for this phenomenon, malignancy remains the most common. It is characterized by several symptoms including facial swelling, extremity swelling, shortness of breath, and headaches. We present the case of a 59-year-old female with a past medical history of cocaine abuse who was admitted for upper extremity swelling and facial edema. Imaging revealed a right suprahilar mass compressing a branch of the right pulmonary artery and SVC, in addition to bilateral segmental and subsegmental pulmonary emboli. She underwent an emergent biopsy and SVC stenting, with immunostaining revealing small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This case highlights a severe presentation of SVC syndrome caused by previously undetected SCLC.