To remember: Radiotherapy - a successful treatment for early Dupuytren's disease

Area of Science:

• Hand surgery
• Dermatology
• Radiation oncology

Background:

• Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common fibroproliferative hand condition leading to progressive digital flexion contractures.
• Current treatments include radiotherapy, collagenase injections, needle fasciotomy, and surgery, with varying efficacy based on disease stage and duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and assess the conditions and effects of radiotherapy for Dupuytren's disease.
• Evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiation therapy as an early-stage treatment for DD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on studies assessing radiotherapy in Dupuytren's disease.
• Analysis of reported symptom regression, disease progression, recurrence rates, and long-term side effects.

Main Results:

• Radiotherapy in early DD stages resulted in symptom regression (40%) or halted progression (81%) with low recurrence rates (12-31%) after >4 years.
• These outcomes were superior to the natural disease course (50% progression in 5-6 years).
• Long-term side effects like skin dryness occurred in ~25% of patients but were well-tolerated; no local malignancies were reported.

Conclusions:

• Early-stage treatment of Dupuytren's disease is crucial due to functional impairment and economic burden.
• Radiation therapy is an effective, safe, and economical treatment option for early-stage DD, offering better outcomes than observation alone.