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 60-year-old smoker presents with facial swelling, dilated neck veins and worsening dyspnoea, with a positive Pemberton sign. What is the most common underlying cause?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Bronchogenic carcinoma

Malignancy causes most cases of superior vena cava syndrome, and lung cancer, especially right-sided small cell and squamous tumours, is the commonest. Lymphoma is second. Management includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy or stenting, with urgent airway assessment.

Option by option

  • A. Tuberculous lymphadenitis

    Tuberculous nodes rarely obstruct the SVC.

  • B. Mediastinal fibrosis

    Fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare benign cause.

  • C. Thymoma

    Thymoma can compress the vein but is much less common.

  • D. Bronchogenic carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Lung cancer is the leading cause of SVC obstruction.

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 D, Bronchogenic carcinoma. Malignancy causes most cases of superior vena cava syndrome, and lung cancer, especially right-sided small cell and squamous tumours, is the commonest.

Why is "Tuberculous lymphadenitis" not the answer?

Tuberculous nodes rarely obstruct the SVC.

Why is "Mediastinal fibrosis" not the answer?

Fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare benign cause.

Why is "Thymoma" not the answer?

Thymoma can compress the vein but is much less common.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oncology: superior vena cava syndrome in General Medicine. Lymphoma is second. Management includes radiotherapy, chemotherapy or stenting, with urgent airway assessment.

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.