Superior vena cava syndrome historical perspective

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Microchapters
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

Overview

Superior vena cava syndrome was first discovered by William Hunter (1718-1783), a Scottish obstetrician, in 1757 following as a complication of a syphilitic aortic aneurysm.

Historical Perspective

The Scottish obstetrician and anatomist, William Hunter, first described the superior vena cava syndrome in 1757, noting it was a complication of a syphilitic aortic aneurysm. In the past, it was a medical emergency and empiric radiation was given to shrink the tumor. With the advent of better medical therapy for some lung cancers and lymphoma and the low morbidity associated with diagnostic procedures, this approach has fallen out of favor.