Surgical treatment for patients with chest cancers invading the superior vena cava / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize the experiences in clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment of chest cancers invading the superior vena cava (SVC). Method Retrospective study of 12 cases with chest cancers invading the SVC, SVC and innominate vein were reconstructed with prosthesis in 3 cases, the side wall of the SVC was excised and repaired in 9 cases. Results Complete resection was performed in 10cases,2 cases had incomplete resection. There was no death associated with operation in these patients. All patients were followed up for 1 - 7 years after operation,and 3 cases were lost to follow up,5 of remaining 9cases were dead because of relapse and metastasis, their median survival time was 8 months,other 4 cases lived, their median survival time was 42 months. Conclusions Patients with chest cancers invading the SVC should have surgical treatment of not only tumor resection but also the vessel reconstruction,the prognosis would be better than without surgical treatment. These patients have a high quality of life and live with long-term survival.