[Dupuytren's contracture. Radiotherapy in the early stages]

Conventional radiotherapy is the treatment of choice for the early stages of the Dupuytren contracture. The conventional semi-deep therapy is more favorable than the soft ray technique and the moulage technique. 62 patients have been treated at Erlangen; 33 out of them (46 irradiated hands) with a minimum observation time of 18 months have been evaluated. The pathologic process was stopped in 98% of the cases. 85% of the patients showed an improvement of troubles by regression of tubercules and cords, pains and sensation of pressure. A recurrence was observed only in one patient at the edge of the irradiated volume.