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Preserved vagus nerve stimulator function after radiation therapy
T A Fantaneanu1, G Tillman2, E Garcia3
1Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|March 13, 2016
Summary
Vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) for epilepsy are safe during breast cancer radiation therapy. A patient with VNS and breast cancer received radiation near the device, which continued to function properly, showing no adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Oncology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Epilepsy and breast cancer are common conditions.
- Vagus nerve stimulators (VNS) manage refractory epilepsy.
- Concurrent treatment of breast cancer in VNS patients requires understanding radiation effects.
Observation:
- A patient with tuberous sclerosis, epilepsy, and breast cancer received VNS.
- Adjuvant radiation therapy was administered to the left breast, near the VNS implant.
- The safety and function of the VNS during radiation were evaluated.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of VNS function during proximal radiation therapy for breast cancer.
- The VNS device continued to operate normally throughout the radiation treatment.
- No adverse effects on VNS integrity or function were observed.
Implications:
- Radiation therapy appears safe for VNS devices in epilepsy patients with breast cancer.
- This finding supports continued VNS use in patients undergoing radiation.
- Further research can confirm the safety and efficacy of VNS during oncologic radiation treatments.
