Hello I am a 54, fit & active Englishman living in Sydney Australia.
In late October last year (2012) I noticed a small callous like lump in my right hand palm about 25mm below the 1st joint of my ring finger.
After first seeing my GP, then a specialist hand surgeon I was diagnosed with Dupuytren's, I was advised to do nothing further until my fingers contracted "which may never happen".
Since this time the nodule has increased in size, it is now approximately 20mm long by 10mm wide at the very outer edges and I would estimate about 1mm high at the summit.
I came across this website while looking for more information and found I was not the only unfortunate person to have this disease.
Since discovering this site I am now seriously considering undertaking Radiotherapy treatment to try and slow down the process.
From your many experiences it would appear that Prof Seegenschmiedt in Hamburg is the leading world authority on this type of treatment.
I would like to hear from anybody, who has undertaken the treatment from the two listed Australian Doctors,
Dr Chris Harper in Perth or Dr Martin Borg in Adelaide.

Many thanks for your help and remain positive.

CliveT

Hello Clive

I agree with Seph, there is a good chance that you will not need any treatment as it can be dormant or progress very slowly for many years, is generally not painful and small nodules and a cord most likely will not really affect day to day life. Is there a family history? If so what was the outcome?

I had dormant or very slowly progressing disease for about 10 years. It then accelerated and was causing considerable discomfort so I had RT on my left hand. A rapidly growing nodule and cord have developed on my right hand in the last 2 months and I am now having RT on that hand.

My father had DC in both hands with a major contracture. He had surgery and recurrence. Both my brothers have DD, one is 58 and has a few nodules that do not bother him; the other is 62 and has a contraction starting.

I live in Brisbane and had RT at a clinic in Brisbane (David Schlect, Wesley). There is also a radiologist on the Gold Coast (David Christie) who also treats DD with RT. I do not believe it is necessary to go to Germany as the treatment is not complex. However if you have the money and want a holiday (Berlin is a great city to visit, most under rated) why not?

Good luck

Hi Warren

Who did the NA for you?

Regards

Stephen

Thank you.

PS

For an actively progressing disease where there is a family history of contraction, RT is a good intervention with seemingly low risk given that 1/3 people will develop cancer in their lives anyway. Once a contraction develops RT is less effective and the option is gone.

All medical interventions come with some risk.

According to the literature, DD associated with diabetes tends to have a different slower course of progression.

It is great that NA worked for you and is an option that I may explore if the disease progresses in an irradiated area.