This patient summary on superior vena cava syndrome is adapted from a summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. This and other credible information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials is available from the National Cancer Institute. Superior vena cava syndrome is a collection of symptoms that can occur in patients who have lung cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or other cancers. It also can occur from noncancer causes. Although serious when it occurs in adults, this syndrome is life threatening in children. This brief summary describes superior vena cava syndrome and its treatment.

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