Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, focusing on the patient’s treatment journey for dupuytren’s disease:
Initial Diagnosis & Options:
the patient was presented with three initial treatment options for Dupuytren’s disease:
* Surgery: Significant recovery time required.
* Enzyme Injections: Expensive (several thousand dollars) and not covered by insurance.
* Observation: Living with the condition and accepting it’s likely progression.
Seeking a Second Opinion & Radiation Therapy:
Dissatisfied with the initial options, the patient consulted with Dr. Rahul tendulkar, a radiation oncologist. dr. Tendulkar determined the patient was an ideal candidate for radiation therapy,specifically as the disease was in an early stage (nodule present,minimal or no contracture).
How Radiation Therapy Works:
Dupuytren’s disease involves abnormal fibroblast growth, and these cells are sensitive to radiation. A low dose of radiation therapy can prevent the cells from multiplying.
Treatment Details:
The patient received electron beam therapy,targeting the affected areas with a margin. the treatment consisted of:
* Five treatments over one week.
* Followed by another five treatments approximately two months later.
Outcome:
The patient tolerated the radiation therapy well, experiencing no noticeable side effects.The treatment aimed to halt nodule progression and preserve hand function as a preventative measure.
In essence, the text details a accomplished case of using radiation therapy as a non-invasive preventative treatment for early-stage Dupuytren’s disease, offering a viable option to more aggressive or costly options.
