Benign conditions are not cancerous, do not spread to other parts of the body, and are generally not life-threatening. However, they can have a significant impact on quality of life, causing chronic pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and limitations in daily activities.
Traditional treatment may involve surgery, which can carry risks such as recurrence, nerve injury, infection, scarring, and a prolonged recovery. For selected patients—particularly those who are not candidates for surgery—we offer a modern, non-surgical treatment option using radiation therapy.
Keloids are raised scars that can grow beyond the boundaries of an original wound and may cause itching, pain, or discomfort. For some patients, radiation therapy is used after surgical removal of a keloid to reduce the chance that it will grow back. Treatment is typically delivered in a few short sessions beginning soon after surgery. Radiation targets the cells involved in abnormal scar formation while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
This is an abnormal growth of bone tissue within muscles, tendons, and joint capsules. It typically occurs after hip replacement surgery, serious injuries, or neurotrauma. The bone growths gradually limit joint mobility, cause pain, and can lead to complete ankylosis. This limits walking and arm movement.
Radiation therapy is typically delivered within the first 72 hours after surgery or prior to surgery to prevent the formation of these bone growths. It is typically only 1 fraction of treatment.
It is a gradual, irreversible flexion of the ring and little fingers, caused by fibrous degeneration and thickening of the palmar aponeurosis. Over time, patients cannot fully straighten their fingers, making everyday tasks like gripping objects, writing, or shaking hands difficult or impossible.
In early stages, radiation therapy halts disease progression. Many patients avoid surgery entirely or postpone it for years. The treatment is painless and given over approximately 10 fractions. Improvement is typically seen within 3–6 months.
It is similar to Dupuytren’s but causes painful nodules on the soles of the feet. This makes walking painful and alters the gait. Without treatment, patients may require orthotic shoes or even a cane.
Radiation therapy is effective. A course of approximately 10 fractions reduces pain, softens nodules, and prevents the development of fibrous bands. Most patients experience significant improvement allowing them to walk comfortably again.
For patients with chronic plantar fasciitis who continue to have significant heel pain despite standard treatments, radiation therapy may be an option. This non-invasive treatment uses carefully targeted, low doses of radiation to reduce inflammation and pain in the plantar fascia. Radiation therapy may be particularly helpful for patients with persistent, treatment-resistant plantar fasciitis who are seeking an alternative to more invasive treatments.
Gynecomastia, or enlargement of male breast tissue, is common and can sometimes cause tenderness, discomfort, or emotional distress. When symptoms persist despite addressing potential underlying causes, radiation therapy may be an option for selected patients, particularly when treatment is started early.
Radiation is delivered precisely to the breast tissue to reduce inflammation and the growth of glandular tissue. Our goal is to reduce pain and tenderness, limit further tissue growth, and provide an effective treatment option while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Some benign conditions, such as Dupuytren’s disease and Ledderhose disease, can gradually progress over time and may become increasingly difficult to treat. Surgery can be effective in selected patients, but it may involve an incision, anesthesia, a period of recovery, and risks such as nerve injury, scarring, and recurrence.
For appropriately selected patients, radiation therapy offers a non-invasive treatment option that may help slow disease progression and reduce symptoms.
Radiation therapy:
Our goal is to treat these conditions before they progress to the point where more invasive treatment may be necessary, while minimizing disruption to your daily life.
Schedule a consultation with our specialists at our centers in the greater Chicagoland area. Call 847-698-0600 ext. 112.
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