[Radiotherapy of tumor patients implanted with permanent cardiac pacemaker: 4 cases report].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The amount of patients implanted with permanent cardiac pacemaker is increasing, among whom some tumor patients require radiotherapy. This retrospective study summarized experience of the radiotherapy of tumor patients implanted with the permanent cardiac pacemaker and evaluated the results of the radiotherapy.

METHODS

Four patients (2 male, 2 female; age range 70-81 years) implanted with permanent cardiac pacemaker were studied. Among them, 3 had third-degree atria ventricular block (AVB) and were implanted with VVI pacemakers, and 1 sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and was implanted with DDDR packmaker. Pathological study proved 1 esophageal carcinoma, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 1 non-small cell lung carcinoma, and 1 nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 60Co or 6-8 MV linear accelerator 40-70 Gy were used to irradiate, while the dynamic electrocardiogram was monitored through the radiation period.

RESULTS

All 4 patients completed the radiotherapy. 3 cases gained PR and 1 case gained SD; 3 patients received continuous chemotherapy, 1 patient received a second radiotherapy. The monitor of dynamic electrocardiogram enunciation for 10 months revealed good function of the cardiac pacemakers.

CONCLUSION

With proper choice of irradiation energy and dose, according to irradiation field including the pacemaker and contents or not, 4 tumor patients implanted with permanent cardiac pacemaker could tolerate radiotherapy well, and the cardiac pacemaker could function normally.