National Cancer Institute

at the National Institutes of Health

Cardiopulmonary Syndromes (PDQ®)

Patient Version

Last Modified: 08/19/2011

Cardiopulmonary Syndrome Overview

Cardiopulmonary syndromes are conditions of the heart and lung that may be caused by cancer or by other health problems. Four cardiopulmonary syndromes that may be caused by cancer are covered in this summary:

Dyspnea (shortness of breath).
Malignant pleural effusion (extra fluid around the lungs).
Malignant pericardial effusion (extra fluid in the sac around the heart).
Superior vena cava syndrome (a blocked superior vena cava, the large vein that takes blood back to the heart).

This summary is about cardiopulmonary syndromes in adults and children with cancer. Section titles show when the information is about children.

Glossary Terms

blood (blud)

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

cardiopulmonary (KAR-dee-oh-PUL-muh-NAYR-ee)

Having to do with the heart and lungs.

condition (kun-DIH-shun)

In medicine, a health problem with certain characteristics or symptoms.

dyspnea (DISP-nee-uh)

Difficult, painful breathing or shortness of breath.

fluid (FLOO-id)

A substance that flows smoothly and takes the shape of its container. Liquids and gases are fluids.

lung (lung)

One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)

Cancerous. Malignant cells can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

malignant pleural effusion (muh-LIG-nunt PLOOR-ul eh-FYOO-zhun)

A condition in which cancer causes an abnormal amount of fluid to collect between the thin layers of tissue (pleura) lining the outside of the lung and the wall of the chest cavity. Lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia cause most malignant pleural effusions.

pericardial effusion (PAYR-ih-KAR-dee-ul eh-FYOO-zhun)

An abnormal collection of fluid inside the sac that covers the heart.

superior vena cava (soo-PEER-ee-er VEE-nuh KAY-vuh)

The large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart.

superior vena cava syndrome (soo-PEER-ee-er VEE-nuh KAY-vuh SIN-drome)

A condition in which a tumor presses against the superior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the head, neck, arms, and chest to the heart). This pressure blocks blood flow to the heart and may cause coughing, difficulty in breathing, and swelling of the face, neck, and upper arms.

syndrome (SIN-drome)

A set of symptoms or conditions that occur together and suggest the presence of a certain disease or an increased chance of developing the disease.

vein (vayn)

A blood vessel that carries blood to the heart from tissues and organs in the body.