Dupuytren’s contracture is a common condition that causes thickening and tightening of the fibrous tissue or fascia beneath the skin on the palm of the hand, resulting in a permanently bent finger as well as limiting mobility and function of the hand. It is also known as Viking disease, Celtic hand, or palmar fibromatosis.
A number of treatments on established, or progressed, disease have been used to improve the quality of life of patients with Dupuytren’s Disease. These include surgery, collagenase injections and needle aponeurotomy to help open the contracted fingers. However, all treatments have been found to have moderate rates of recurrence and none are useful as a preventative treatment in the early stages of the disease process.
Low dose radiation therapy may be a treatment option for Dupuytren’s disease both as a preventative measure for early stage disease as well as an adjuvant treatment following surgery, collagenase or needle aponeurotomy for more advanced disease. International literature suggests radiotherapy’s effectiveness in outcomes with minimal side effects, however greater, more robust and reliable research is required to develop and support the body of evidence.
How long does the treatment take and how is it delivered?
Radiotherapy is delivered once a day for one week (five business days), followed with a gap of around six weeks and then a second week of treatment.
A planning appointment is needed a few days before starting, and each day in the department will be less than an hour.
The toxicity from treatment is limited, there may be a slight colour change and dryness to the skin in the treated area only which can be managed with a moisturising cream. Treatment is unlikely to cause significant discomfort.
Treatments we cover
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is used in the early stages of Dupuytren’s disease. It is delivered using a superficial energy called ‘Electrons’ (meaning the radiation is deposited at a shallow depth beneath the skin’s surface to treat the affected fascia). In cooperation with Hand Surgeons, we are also exploring the use radiation therapy as an adjuvant therapy with surgery, needle aponeurotomy or collagenase injection for progressed disease in an attempt to reduce the risk of contracture recurrence.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, is used in the early stages of Dupuytren’s disease. It is delivered using a superficial energy called ‘Electrons’ (meaning the radiation is deposited at a shallow depth beneath the skin’s surface to treat the affected fascia). In cooperation with Hand Surgeons, we are also exploring the use radiation therapy as an adjuvant therapy with surgery, needle aponeurotomy or collagenase injection for progressed disease in an attempt to reduce the risk of contracture recurrence.
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Regional Cancer Centre, Corner of Borella Road and East Street, East Albury, NSW, 2640
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3056 Albany Hwy, Suite 10, Armadale Hospital Specialist Centre, Armadale WA 6112
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Cardiac Investigations Unit, Bundaberg Base Hospital, Bourbong Street, Bundaberg West, QLD, 4670
(07) 4199 7300
St John Of God Berwick Specialist Centre, 55 Kangan Drive, Berwick VIC 3806, Australia
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Suite 16, Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
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Buderim Private Hospital, 12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim QLD 4556
1800 155 225
Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, Corner of Roberston Drive & Bussell Highway, WA, 6230
(08) 9720 3400
South West Health Campus, Corner of Bussell Hwy & Roberston Drive, Bunbury, WA 6230
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Suite 21, St John of God Hospital, Southwest Health Campus, (Cnr Robertson Drive & Bussell Hwy), Bunbury WA 6230
(08) 9720 3403
Bundaberg, Mater Hospital (Oncology), 313 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670
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Cabrini Hospital Malvern, Level B4, Gandel Wing, 183 Wattletree Road, Malvern, VIC 3144
(03) 9597 6900
Calvary Central Districts Hospital, Jarvis Road, Elizabeth Vale SA 5112, Australia
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Chermside Medical Complex, Lower Ground Floor, 956 Gympie Road, Chermside QLD, 4032
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(07) 3648 2500
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Cockburn Health & Community Centre, Level 1, Suite 11, 11 Wentworth Parade, Success WA 6164
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Denmark Health Service, 50 Scotsdale Road, Denmark WA, Australia
(08) 9480 3000
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(03) 9813 7950
Central Highlands Healthcare Ltd. Trading as Emerald Medical Group Lot 1, Pilot Farm Road, Emerald QLD 4720
(07) 3858 8690
Epping Medical Centre, Ground Floor, 230 Cooper Street, Epping, VIC, 3076
(03) 9409 8000
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1300 977 062
Flinders Private Hospital, Level 2, 1 Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, SA 5042
(08) 8179 5500
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(02) 8030 6700
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(07) 4199 7300
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Ramsay Specialist Centre Suite 212, Level 2 Newdegate Street, Greenslopes, QLD, 4120
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Gympie Specialist and Diagnostic Centre, 74 - 76 Channon Street, Gympie QLD 4570
(07) 5390 3700
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(03) 9455 4800
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(07) 4303 4351
Hollywood Private Hospital, Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging, Monash Ave, Nedlands WA 6009
(08) 9438 8500
Waratah Private Hospital, Level 6, 31 Dora Street, Hurstville, NSW, 2220
(02) 8568 7600
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Nuclear Medicine & Therapy Centre, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
(08) 9438 8500
John Flynn Private Hospital, 42 Inland Drive, Tugun QLD 4224
Level 3, Shenton House, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup, WA 6027
(08) 9400 6161
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1300 977 062
Level 2 & 3, 57 Shenton Avenue, Joondalup WA 6027
(08) 9233 5200
Kalamunda Specialist Centre, 37 Elizabeth Street, Kalamunda, WA
(08) 9480 3000
Karratha Health Campus Outpatients Department 62 Balmoral Road KARRATHA WA 6714
(08) 9144 7777
Lady Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital (formerly South Burnett Private Hospital), 31 Markwell Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610
(07) 3858 8690
Suite 1, Tennyson Centre, 520 South Road, Kurralta Park, SA 5037
(08) 8375 3200
Langwarrin Suites 1 & 2, 35 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Langwarrin VIC 3910
(03) 8769 5800
Lilydale Private Consulting Suites, 475 Swansea Rd, Lilydale, VIC, 3140
(03) 9735 4288
Mackay Rehabilitation Hospital, 57 Norris Road, North Mackay, QLD, 4740
1800 155 225
Hospital Building, Suite 1, Level B2, 3 Technology Place, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109
(02) 9812 3220
17 Farrelly Street, Margaret River WA, Australia
(08) 9720 3400
Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
9720 3400
Margaret River Surgery, 1 Station Road, Margaret River WA, Australia
9720 3400
St Stephen's Medical Centre Suite 2, 166 John Street Maryborough QLD 4650
(07) 4303 4300
Mater Private Clinic Suite 5.02 & 5.11, Level 5 550 Stanley Street South Brisbane QLD 4101
(07) 3360 7100
The Mater Hospital, 25 Rocklands road, North Sydney, NSW
(02)9458 8050
Midland Medical Specialist Care, 23 The Crescent, Midland, WA 6056
(08) 9480 3000
Mount Ommaney Medical Centre Shop 6/171 Dandenong Road Mt Ommaney QLD 4074
(07) 3725 3900
Mulgrave Private Hospital, Suite 8, Churchill Consulting Suites, Blanton Drive, Mulgrave, VIC, 3170
(03) 8793 3800
St John of God Wexford Medical Centre, Level 4, Suite 68-72, 3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch, WA 6150
(08) 6332 2300
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(08) 9233 5200
Suite 20/21 Hollywood Medical Centre, 85 Monash Avenue, Nedlands WA
(08) 6389 9100
Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, 36 Pacific Highway, Gateshead, NSW, 2290
(02) 4918 4500
Lake Imaging Specialist and Research Centre 14-20 Blackwood Street North Melbourne 3051
(03) 9813 7950
St Andrew’s Hospital, North Street, Spring Hill, QLD, 4000
(07) 3832 1717
Level 2, 2-9 Village Way, Lakeside Square Medical Precinct, Pakenham VIC 3810
(03) 8793 3800
Level 4, Suite 22, Melbourne Private Medical Centre, Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052
(03) 9813 7950
Suite 3 Mount Medical Centre, Level 3, 140 Mounts Bay Road, Perth WA 6000
(08) 9233 5200
Pindara Specialist Suites Suite 4.07, Level 4, 29 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4214
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Hedland Health Campus, Outpatient Department, Port Hedland WA 6721
(08) 9174 1380
Pulse Oceanside Medical, Suite 402, 11 Eccles Boulevard, Birtinya, QLD 4575
(07) 5322 5900
Ringwood Private Hospital, 36 Mount Dandenong Road, Ringwood East VIC 3135
(03) 8870 3300
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Mater Hospital (Outpatients Department) 31 Ward Street Rockhampton QLD 4700
(07) 3858 8690
Rockhampton Hospital, Lower Ground Floor, Canning Street, Rockhampton, QLD, 4700
(07) 4932 5000
Elanora Dr, Rockingham General Hospital, Cooloongup WA 6168
Priority Health Orion Shopping Centre, 1st Floor, 1 Main Street, Springfield QLD 4300
(07) 3858 8690
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(08) 8228 6700
St Andrew's Medical Centre Clinic, Level 2. 321 South Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
(08) 8202 6644
St Andrew's Hospital Toowoomba, 280 North Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350
Level 1, Suite 10, Sara Stella Medical Centre, St Stephen's Private Hospital, 1 Medical Place, Urraween QLD 4655
(07) 4303 4300
Level A, 438 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010
(02) 8302 5400
St Vincent's Hospital, Basement Level, Building C, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065
(03) 9427 6500
St Vincent's Private Hospital, Toowoomba, Scott Street, Toowoomba City QLD 4350
(07) 3858 8600
St Vincent's Private Hospital, Scott Street, Toowoomba, QLD 4350
Suites 14 & 15, Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya QLD 4575
(07) 5390 3700
Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital Suite 20/3 Doherty St, Birtinya QLD, 4575
(07) 5437 9788
Union Road Specialists Centre, 203 Union Road, Surrey Hills, VIC, 3127
(03) 9813 7900
Vermont Consulting Clinic, Vermont South Medical Centre, Level 3, Suite 3-5a, 645-647 Burwood Hwy, Vermont South, VIC, 3133
(03) 9210 8300
Level 5, Suite 91 Sandford Jackson Building 30 Chasely Street Auchenflower QLD 4066
(07) 3858 8650
The Wesley Hospital, Auchenflower, QLD, 4066
1800 155 225
The Wesley Medical Centre, 1/40 Chasely St Auchenflower, Brisbane, QLD, 4066
Westside Private Hospital, Suite 309, Level 3, 32 Morrow Street, Taringa, QLD, 4068
(07) 3022 7850
Whittlesea Specialist Centre, 79-81 Church Street, Whittlesea VIC 3757
(03) 8467 5900
Royal Street Specialist Centre, Cnr Royal Street & Wanneroo Road, Yokine, WA 6060
0894803000
Royal Street Specialist Centre, Cnr Royal Street & Wanneroo Rd, Yokine WA 6060
(08) 9233 5200
References
Radiotherapy in fascial fibromatosis: C case series, literature review and considerations for treatment of early stage disease. Grenfell S, Borg M, JMIRO 58 (2014): 641-647
Author: A/Prof Michael Izard ADM The Master and Macquarie University Hospital