Superior Vena Cava Syndrome should be considered with any cancer patient who would present with the above signs, especially with swelling of the face and arms. The diagnosis can be confirmed by a plain chest x-ray, CT Scan or MRI of the chest. This is a very simple task in patients who are known to have a cancer. However, some patients present with this syndrome and it is through the evaluation and work up of this problem that a cancer is diagnosed. Treatment of Superior Vena Cava Syndrome relies on the cause of it.
Radiation is used in the majority of cancer patients.
Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for cancers that are very sensitive to treatment, i.e., lymphoma , testis cancer , small cell lung cancer , etc. Certain procedures can be used to dilate and open the occluded vessel. Such procedures may be performed by radiologists or vascular surgeons.