Lung cancer involving the superior vena cava: pneumonectomy with concomitant partial resection of superior vena cava.

We report two cases in which partial resection and reconstruction of the superior vena cava (SVC) were performed with the use of a temporary SVC-right atrial internal bypass for complete resection of carcinoma of the right lung. In the first case, the SVC was invaded by the primary tumor itself, arising in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe. In the second case a metastasized tracheobronchial lymph node had invaded the SVC. In both cases, partial resection of SVC was performed safely with the internal bypass technique.