Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Patient Selection Criteria for Radiation Therapy in Early-Stage Dupuytren's Contracture.

Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is a fibroproliferative disorder characterized by progressive contractures of the hand. The abnormal thickening of the palmar fascia can significantly impair hand function and lead to progressive pain, significantly reducing patients' quality of life. Surgical interventions are commonly employed for moderate to severe cases and have long been considered the gold standard. Surgery, however, is often associated with morbidities, including complications, infection, and a significant rate of recurrence. Modern-day radiation therapy (RT) has emerged as a promising, though still largely investigational, option for selected patients with early-stage DC, with reported benefits in symptomatic control and disease stabilization. The objective of this review is to evaluate the literature supporting the safety and efficacy of RT techniques in the treatment of DC. A literature review was conducted on March 13, 2025, using PubMed and Google Scholar with the search terms Dupuytren's contracture, Dupuytren contracture, radiotherapy, radiation, radiation therapy, non-surgical, and therapy. Randomized controlled trials, retrospective cohort studies, and case series evaluating RT for DC were included, whereas reviews and studies lacking relevant clinical outcomes were excluded. Of 72 identified records, 29 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 11 studies were included in the final review. Study selection and full-text review were performed by a single reviewer, and reported rates of disease control, progression, and treatment-related toxicities were compared across studies. Overall, the literature suggests that RT may provide meaningful symptom control and disease stabilization with a generally favorable toxicity profile. Chronic toxicities appear uncommon and are usually limited to mild skin changes. RT appears generally well tolerated and potentially useful in selected patients with early-stage DC, although definitive long-term safety and its impact on reducing subsequent invasive interventions remain uncertain.