Superior vena cava (SVC) resection and reconstruction in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invasion

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) infiltrating the superior vena cava (SVC) is a formidable challenge to surgeons in view of significant post-operative morbidity and mortality. Primary tumor infiltration is more common than the involvement by the mediastinal lymph-nodes. However, en bloc resection of SVC, whether partial or circumferential, along with the tumor in appropriately selected patients to achieve oncologically safe resection has acceptable perioperative morbidity, mortality and 5-year survival rates. The aim of this review article is to describe the rationale, the surgical techniques and the outcome in patients with NSCLC involving the SVC.