Janice:

Hi to all!

I have been following the posts about Dupuytren's since I was diagnosed three weeks ago. Firstly, I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate this website and the very helpful and informative posts!

I had (what I was told was) a small cyst surgically removed from my left hand about ten years ago. It was a simple out-patient procedure, done with only a local block. About six months ago another "cyst" formed on my left hand. I ignored it until it became painful and interfered with my usual activities. Then, I went to see a hand surgeon to schedule its removal, believing that it was a cyst. (I lived in NY ten years ago with the first cyst.) I was told that it wasn't a cyst and was, instead, Dupuytren's Disease. The hand surgeon said that I didn't have to have surgery to remove it yet because I didn't fail the "table test". (My hand could still lie flat on a table...i.e. no contracture yet.) But, since it was painful, he could surgically remove it with no problem.

Well, I went home and began my research since I'd never heard of Dupuytren's. Now that I know what to look for, I can feel a cord leading from the mass in my palm below my ring finger towards my ring finger. Again, there is no contracture, but I am able to hyperextend my first two fingers, but not my ring finger and pinky and there is pain if I try. I am presuming that if I do nothing, it will progress to contracture.

My gut reaction is to move forward with the surgery (which must be simpler and more successful prior to contracture) or to wait and consider other options down the road. I should note that I do have insurance that will cover the surgery.

Can anyone give me any reasons for not moving ahead with the surgery at this time?

Thanks and God Bless,
Janice

P.S. I'm 62 years old.

I would suggest that surgery at this stage would be a poor choice. Some people (especially at your age) go the rest of their life without problems from Dupuytren's. Many people never reach the contracture stage. Generally, Dupuytren's is not painful. It might be uncomfortable now and get better with time. I would suggest that you be patient with this. Radiation would be the optimum choice at this stage if you wanted to do something.

I agree with the comments already made. Radiotherapy, RT, as an early treatment when the disease is active is my recommendation. How do you know it is active? It's hard to know and uncertain as is everything else about this disease. My symptoms of "active" were an itchy, crawly feeling in the palm, more nodules forming, grip in my hand becoming weaker, puckers and bumps in my palm. I had a little soreness when a new nodule pops up, but after a few days, no more soreness. You can may be able to do a search using the "Search forum" option in the left column and post again asking people to describe their symptoms.

You're on the right track to research RT now.

Janice, Have you looked under the drop down menu at the top of the page? I know someone who went to Dr. Herman in Oklahoma and she really likes him. No one is listed in Texas, but maybe you can find an oncology department who will do RT.

Hi Janice!

I am in north central Texas. I found an Oncologist close that was willing to do RT on my hand using the German protocol. However, he had never done it before and my insurance would not cover it. After much research, I decided to make the trip to Hamburg to see Prof. Seegenschmiedt. The main reason for my decision was his vast knowledge and experience with this disease. Plus, may wife and I had a nice little vacation and I saved money over having it done here!

Best of luck to you!
Michael