A 62-year-old man with a 35 pack-year smoking history presents with hoarseness, facial edema, and distended neck veins. Chest CT shows a large right-sided mediastinal mass compressing the superior vena cava. Which lung tumor most commonly causes superior vena cava syndrome?
- A Small cell carcinoma ✓
- B Peripheral adenocarcinoma
- C Squamous cell carcinoma
- D Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma
Correct answer: A. Small cell carcinoma
Explanation
Small cell carcinoma is the lung tumor most commonly associated with superior vena cava syndrome because it typically arises centrally near the hilum and mediastinum, with rapid growth causing compression. It is also the most common lung tumor to cause paraneoplastic syndromes (SIADH, Cushing syndrome, Lambert-Eaton). Peripheral adenocarcinoma (option B) would not compress mediastinal structures early.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.