Superior vena caval resection in lung cancer

Invasion of the superior vena cava (SVC) by lung cancer is no longer deemed unresectable. Patient presentation and patterns of involvement are heterogeneous. Careful preoperative evaluation is necessary to determine resectability. Partial or complete SVC resection may be required, and reconstruction may be accomplished with suture repair, patch repair, or prosthesis, with acceptable short- and long-term outcomes.