Just started RT / observations and questions (2) | Dupuytren Disease

tgm1327 · 2013-04-07T02:19:42+00:00

I’m a 57 year old male who first noted DD symptoms in late 2012; originally it was just one nodule in the palm below my ring finger, right hand. I immediately knew what it was, as my oldest brother has it and developed a severe contracture around age 62. I went to a major teaching hospital about 8 weeks ago; the hand specialist/surgeon noted aggressive DD in my right hand, advised me to wait until curvature develops, went over options we might consider at that time. I am so glad I did more research on my own and found out I was still a good candidate for RT. I did ask the original doctor about RT after my appointment with him; he indicated it is "relatively new," but did suggest I research it further, both for “risks and benefits.” I just completed the first 5 RT treatments this week in my right hand, working with a radiologist; I will go for the rest in July. I have been rather amazed at the rapid spread in my right hand since early this year, now several nodules under 3 fingers, and a palpable ¾ inch cord in the corner of the palm toward the thumb. I also appear to be developing symptoms in my left hand, though the RT at this point was right hand only. Interestingly, in between the time they made a custom radiation mask for my hand and when the RT started, I noted yet another (I think) nodule in that hand, this one right at the base of the thumb, just where it meets the palm. Unfortunately, this area was excluded from the mask they made for my treatments. I asked my radiologist about it, and will do so again when I meet with him before “round two” of RT on that hand. In general, the mask he made covered almost my entire palm area, to address aggressive spread. He indicated some possible concerns about including joints in RT, so maybe he would not have included the thumb base nodule in any case. Has anyone had experience with RT in a finger or thumb joint? And/or experiences with DD occurrences after RT in an area of the hand that was not originally treated? I’m wondering if they might alter the mask for the next 5 sessions to include that area? Regarding my left hand, I really only noted early symptoms there about 2 weeks ago, but I think it is happening. Perhaps by the time I start the next sessions for the right hand, we may be ready to start on that hand as well? I’m curious as to when you know the right time to commence with RT. Just looking at how it has spread to other areas of my right hand, it is probably good that I waited 4 or 5 months before starting the RT on that hand, so that a broader area was treated. I’m curious (regarding my as-yet untreated left hand) to hear more about how one knows at what point to begin RT, or how long to wait to determine progression. Both physicians I have consulted with were excellent, but I am grateful to this (and other) web resources for expanding my own knowledge of RT options. My radiologist is upfront about the fact he is not a specialist in this disease in all its complications per se, though he clearly has treated many other patients for it and I am pleased to be working with him. I gather that it is rather unusual to encounter a hand surgeon who also coordinates RT for DD. Anyway, this site is a godsend! Would love to hear any input, feedback, comments, suggestions, or whatever comes to mind . . . . Thanks! Edited 04/07/13 04:24

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Just started RT / observations and questions

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04/10/2013 02:21

JohnG

04/10/2013 02:21
JohnG

Re: Just started RT / observations and questions

stephenp:
The link to the paper gives an abstract,

Oops, sorry. WHEN I viewed it while at work I saw the whole article, not just the abstract. I suppose that's because our data subscriptions include one for Springer.

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complications radiologist included oncologist experience electron-beam started surgeon radiation because treatment observations Unfortunately Seegenschmiedt generalisation do-it-yourself circumstances appointment questions consideration

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