Superior vena cava obstruction due to prostate carcinoma

Superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) is considered an oncologic emergency commonly associated with lung carcinoma. The case presented here is that of a 48-year-old man presenting with SVCO, which was diagnosed as metastatic prostate carcinoma localized to the chest. He was treated with goserelin and aggressive radiotherapy with a drop in his prostate-specific antigen levels and symptomatic relief that lasted approximately 12 months. SVCO recurred locally in the chest and the patient died 24 months after diagnosis. This represents a rare presentation of prostate carcinoma and underlines the necessity for tissue diagnosis before local radiotherapy. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.