Radiotherapy

Radiation therapy is a form of therapy for Dupuytren’s disease, which can halt the progress of the disease in its early stages. The fibroblasts, the cells responsible for the formation of the nodes and strands, should be disturbed in their ability to divide. This reduces or even prevents the further formation of nodules and strands.

Dupuytren’s disease usually remains at the level of the radiation situation. For this reason, radiation therapy is only useful in the early stages, as it cannot stretch fingers that are already bent. With a safety margin of 0.5 to 2 cm, the affected area of the palm is irradiated by superficially effective soft X-rays.

To protect the non-affected areas from the radiation, they are protected with a lead cover. Various concepts for irradiation have proven to be effective. Single doses of between 2-4 Gy (Gray) are given in each case, while the total dose is between 20 and 40 Gy.

If the total dose is 30 Gray, 3 Gray is given on five consecutive days in the first cycle. After a treatment break of 6 to 12 weeks, a new treatment series with the same concept is carried out, so that a total dose of 30 Gray is achieved after the treatment. Follow-up examinations should be performed 3 months and 1 year after the last treatment.Here, not only a change and regression of the nodes and strands is taken into account, but also possible changes in the adjacent areas, which could be an indication of radiation damage.

An increased cancer risk is always associated with radiation. According to studies, however, it seems to be negligible if the part of the body not to be irradiated is well protected. Overall, radiotherapy in early stages shows very good results and can prevent the progression of Dupuytren’s disease in most cases for many years. For this reason, it is a good way to delay surgery. Since radiation is particularly effective in early stages, when the first nodes appear, patients should consult their physician early on.