Treatment of malignant superior vena caval obstruction.A randomized study

Abstract

A clinical trial of 2 methods of treating malignant superior vena caval obstruction is presented. Twenty-eight selected patients were allocated to treatment with radiation and nitrogen mustard or radiation alone according to a strictly administered randomization scheme. It appears that there is no apparent advantage to the use of nitrogen mustard prior to irradiation. It would appear that, in view of the side effects of nitrogen mustard, the use of the initially high daily dose radiation technique, combined with judicious use of diuretics, would be preferable.