IVC syndrome can be caused by _______ or ________ tumors/vein thrombosis.

• A. Pulmonary, Cardiac
• B. Brain, Spinal
• C. Spleen, Pancreas
• D. Hepatic, Renal

Answer: (D)

IVC syndrome arises when the inferior vena cava is blocked, either by a tumor growing into or compressing the vessel or by a clot forming within it. Tumors of the liver or kidney are classic culprits because of their direct venous connections to the IVC: hepatic tumors can compress or invade the hepatic veins into the IVC, and renal cell carcinoma often extends from the renal vein into the IVC, causing obstruction. Vein thrombosis can also obstruct the IVC directly.

Other sites listed don’t typically produce direct IVC obstruction: pulmonary or cardiac tumors affect the lungs or heart rather than the IVC, and spleen/pancreas are not common sources of primary IVC invasion.