The evidence on radiation therapy for early Dupuytren's disease raises no major safety concerns. Current evidence on its efficacy is inadequate in quantity and quality, and is difficult to interpret because of uncertainty about the natural history of Dupuytren's disease. Therefore, this procedure should only be used with special arrangements for clinical governance, consent and audit or research.
Clinicians wishing to do radiation therapy for early Dupuytren's disease should:
Inform the clinical governance leads in their NHS trusts.
Ensure that patients understand the uncertainty about the procedure's efficacy, the unpredictability of progression of early Dupuytren's disease, and that there is a theoretical risk of malignancy in the long term after any type of radiation therapy. Clinicians should provide patients with clear written information. In addition, the use of NICE's information for the public is recommended.
Audit and review clinical outcomes of all patients having radiation therapy for early Dupuytren's disease (see section 7.1).
NICE encourages further research into radiation therapy for early Dupuytren's disease, including randomised controlled trials. Because of the uncertainty over the natural history of the disease, this should include studies comparing the long-term efficacy of radiation therapy with no radiation therapy. Studies should include details of patient selection, stage of disease progression, duration and types of treatment, patient-reported outcomes, and long-term efficacy and safety data. NICE may update the guidance on publication of further evidence.