Value of radiotherapy in superior vena cava syndrome.

The superior vena cava syndrome is among the most important radiotherapeutic emergencies currently known. It is almost always due to malignant disease and therefore no time should be wasted in establishing the histological diagnosis of the malignant tumor which causes the superior vena cava obstruction. The conventional slow, low-dose irradiation is a safe method of treatment. High-dose irradiation in this condition might further compromise the respiratory distress already present thus leading to sudden death.