Oncology: superior vena cava syndrome: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Oncology: superior vena cava syndrome

Sample item

A patient with a mediastinal mass develops facial swelling, distended neck veins, and dyspnea that worsen when lying flat. Which syndrome is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava obstruction impairs venous drainage from the head, neck, and upper limbs, causing facial edema and dilated chest or neck veins. Malignancy is a common cause.

Option by option

  • A. Superior vena cava syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Positional facial swelling and upper-body venous congestion point to SVC obstruction.

  • B. Cardiac tamponade

    Tamponade causes shock with raised JVP but not the characteristic facial and chest-wall venous pattern.

  • C. Acute pancreatitis

    Pancreatitis causes epigastric pain and systemic inflammation.

  • D. Nephrotic syndrome

    Nephrotic syndrome causes generalized edema from low albumin rather than upper-body venous collaterals.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Superior vena cava syndrome. Superior vena cava obstruction impairs venous drainage from the head, neck, and upper limbs, causing facial edema and dilated chest or neck veins.

Why is "Cardiac tamponade" not the answer?

Tamponade causes shock with raised JVP but not the characteristic facial and chest-wall venous pattern.

Why is "Acute pancreatitis" not the answer?

Pancreatitis causes epigastric pain and systemic inflammation.

Why is "Nephrotic syndrome" not the answer?

Nephrotic syndrome causes generalized edema from low albumin rather than upper-body venous collaterals.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oncology: superior vena cava syndrome in General Medicine. Malignancy is a common cause.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oncology: superior vena cava syndrome?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.