Superior vena cava syndrome and telangiectasia in a man with lymphoma

The differential diagnosis for a large anterior mediastinal mass includes the 5 Ts: thymoma, teratoma, thyroid cancer, thoracic aortic aneurysm and tumour. In theory, any of these conditions could cause superior vena cava syndrome; however, it is frequently caused by certain types of lymphoma. Our p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) 2007-11, Vol.177 (10), p.1177-1179
Main Authors: Bruno, Tony F, Donoff, Michel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Case studies
Development and progression
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Lymphatic system
Lymphoma
Lymphoma - complications
Lymphoma - diagnosis
Lymphomas
Male
Medical diagnosis
Medical treatment
Practice
Superior vena cava syndrome
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - complications
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome - diagnosis
Telangiectasis
Telangiectasis - complications
Telangiectasis - diagnosis
Veins & arteries
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Description
Summary:The differential diagnosis for a large anterior mediastinal mass includes the 5 Ts: thymoma, teratoma, thyroid cancer, thoracic aortic aneurysm and tumour. In theory, any of these conditions could cause superior vena cava syndrome; however, it is frequently caused by certain types of lymphoma. Our patient ultimately received a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a specific type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that commonly leads to superior vena cava compression. 1 Although there are more than 20 types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is by far the most common, making up about 30% of all lymphomas.2 Up to 80% of all primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphomas display evidence of superior vena cava compression. In direct contrast, despite the fact that mediastinal lymphadenopathy is a common feature of Hodgkin's disease, it rarely causes superior vena cava syndrome.
ISSN:0820-3946
1488-2329
DOI:10.1503/cmaj.070628