title: Radiotherapy with soft X-rays in Dupuytren's disease - successful, well-tolerated and satisfying.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Up to present no curative treatment is known for Dupuytren's disease (DD). Surgery remains the most common treatment but lack of long-term efficacy and complications limit this therapeutic option.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In a retrospective analysis, the results of radiotherapy with soft X-rays in the treatment of DD were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 206 patients (297 affected hands) with DD were included. Radiation therapy was carried out with soft X-rays. A structured questionnaire considering patient and disease characteristics and effects of radiotherapy was evaluated after a median follow-up time of 40 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-three (45%) of the 206 treated patients were reported on a regression of symptoms after radiation. No further disease progression (including patients with regression) was present in 165 patients (80%). Satisfaction with the therapy was expressed with an average score of 7.9 points (visual analogue scale, 0 = not satisfied, 10 = extremely satisfied). Subjective therapeutic effects for 426 nodules and/or cords showed a reduction of 92 nodules and/or cords.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 206 DD patients further disease progression was stopped in most patients. Radiotherapy proved to be well-tolerated, successful and satisfying for the patients.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie am Biederstein, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany; Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE), München, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zirbs
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Anzeneder
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bruckbauer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hofmann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brockow
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ring
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eberlein
mesh_terms: D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000235:genetics / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome