Electroconvulsive therapy in a patient after radiation treatment of a brain metastasis: a case report

J ECT. 2012 Dec;28(4):250-1. doi: 10.1097/YCT.0b013e318256ce29.

Abstract

Major depression has a high incidence in patients with cancer, but treatment guidelines for this vulnerable population are missing and antidepressants seem to be less effective than in patients not affected by cancer. We report the case of a patient with bronchial cancer with a single temporo-occipital brain metastasis that had been treated by radiotherapy (whole-brain radiation, 40 Gy, followed by a stereotactic radiotherapy, 15 Gy). The patient developed a major depressive episode and was successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy without relevant adverse events. This case further underscores the safety and effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy after radiotherapy of the brain and demonstrates a viable alternative for severely depressed patients with cancer who do not adequately respond to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy alone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / etiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents