Pacemaker - does it affect scans, radiation, drugs etc?

[mklc]

Does having a pacemaker affect prostate cancer treatments?

Can I still have:

scans

radiation

drug treatments?

[JamesAtlanta]

I developed some heart issues (they think due to my radiation treatments to my spine for a bone met). My heart rate will not go above about 114 bpm when I exercise - it should be able to beat as high as 165 bpm at my age (57). My cardiologist recommended a pacemaker.

I advised my oncologist at MD Anderson. They said both that while it is “technically” true they can still do MRIs on patients with a pacemaker, it makes things very difficult - and they said only one person at their hospital know how to do it ... and they were on medical leave. They asked me to wait as long as I could before getting a pacemaker.

So, my understanding is that having a pacemaker can indeed create issues with treatment. But if you need it, get it ... and they will need to do their best to work around it.

Perhaps others with a pacemaker can add to your question. But that was my experience. Hope this response was helpful.

Best,

James

[cigafred]

When I was at Radboud for the nano-iron MTI, Doctor Barentz related to me about another patient from the Chicago area who had a pacemaker. Dr. Barents was leery of using his 3T MRI on him, so the man flew in his private jet to Nijmegan, had the infusion, both flew back to Chicago where the man had a doctor who knew how to do MRIs with his pacemaker. So somewhere in Chicago there is a doctor who can handle it.

[JimVanHorn]

Hello mklc, I know that they keep improving Pacemakers, but they still have problems when you are around magnetism. My parents with pacemakers went on a cruise ship and the gyroscope messed up their pacemakers. An MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) should be avoided, yet a MRI found out that I had bone metastases. I noticed that Mayo clinic has one doctor who does MRI's with persons with Pacemakers, but I would talk to my oncologist and see if other tests can be used. I wish you luck and just keep truckin'.

[mklc]

My apologies for the delay in replying as I have been recovering from the operation. I now actually feel stronger after having the pacemaker though having to get use to this unexpected medical situation. Especially as there are absolutely no heart medical problems in my family. I suspect it is because of the ADT drugs.

Thank you all for your very kind answers, opinions and advise.

All best wishes and good health.