A rare case of skin cancer above a subcutaneously implanted pacemaker: implications for future implants.
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of a skin neoplasm close to the position of an implanted pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator device is not very common.


METHODS
We report on an 82-year-old patient who developed a basal cell carcinoma in the skin directly above a subcutaneously implanted pacemaker generator. The patient presented with a history of recurrent basalioma at various locations. The pacemaker (Kappa KDR 731; Medtronic) was implanted 17 months before and represented a series that was recalled because of problems occurring after submuscular implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary submuscular implantation of pacemaker devices should be carefully considered in elderly patients with a history of previous skin tumors.
Mellert
Fritz
F
Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany. fritz.mellert@uni-bonn.de
Schiller
Wolfgang
W
Yueruektuemen
Aylin
A
Preusse
Claus J
CJ
Welz
Armin
A
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome