Radiotherapy with a pacemaker or ICD: information to bring

Mention your implant at the planning appointment

Macmillan advises patients to tell their doctor or radiographer about a pacemaker, ICD or cochlear implant before or during the first planning appointment. Treatment planning needs to take the device into account.

If you have more than one implant, mention all of them. Do not assume the radiotherapy team already has records from the hospital where each implant was fitted.

Prepare your information for the team

1. Find your current implant card or device report.
2. Check which clinic looks after your device now.
3. Tell the team if the card is missing, old or difficult to read.
4. Ask which documents they need and where to send them securely.

Label historical cards clearly if a generator or other component has since changed. A digital record should preserve what the source says without guessing any missing model or serial number.

Ask who will coordinate the device checks

You can ask: “Who is contacting my device clinic? Is there anything else you need from me before planning? Who should I contact with device questions during the course?” Record the answers with your appointment information.

Your clinical teams decide any monitoring, device checks or treatment changes. There is no universal safe distance or dose that a patient passport can calculate for you.

How an implant passport can help

A readable record can bring your implant identity and clinic contacts together when you attend another service. It cannot determine whether radiotherapy is suitable, guarantee an earlier start or replace the team’s assessment.

If you are still waiting for the original information, tell the radiotherapy team rather than waiting silently for a replacement card. They can explain what they need for planning.