Radiation is also a treatment option without surgery for Dupuytren’s disease. However, the possible side effects, which may only occur years later(late effects!), should not be concealed by the hand surgeon. These include
Radiation ulcers in Dupuytren’s disease
Damage to the skin and deeper structures can cause these tissues to partially disappear after Dupuytren’s radiation.
Deeper structures such as tendons, nerves or even bones can then be exposed and at high risk of infection. As the irradiated skin is hardly capable of regeneration, the treatment of these radiation ulcers (ulceration) is more difficult.
Further changes (similar to scarring) can result in scar distortion, nerve damage, vascular occlusion, lymphatic occlusion, etc.
Scar cancer
The risk of scar cancer in the irradiated area should also not be underestimated. In a study by Dufourmentel (1988), the risk of skin cancer after radiation damage (radiodermatitis) to the hand was as high as 20 %.
So should benign Dupuytren’s disease be irradiated like a malignant tumor?
