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2025-01-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

When the doctor becomes the patient

When the doctor becomes the patient

Dr. Jerome Spunberg’s successful radiation therapy for Dupuytren’s contracture

Dr. Jerome Spunberg’s successful radiation therapy for Dupuytren’s contracture

As an active radiation oncologist in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Jerome Spunberg, MD, FACR, FACRO has treated countless patients with cancer. Dr. Spunberg also uses radiation therapy to treat non-cancerous (benign) conditions such as Dupuytren’s contracture, Ledderhose disease, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and even osteoarthritis. 

As additional clinical evidence is published, it is becoming more common for the use of radiation therapy to be considered medically necessary for a range of benign conditions. When other treatments such as surgery, injections or NSAIDs aren’t suitable or fail to bring relief, patients today are seeking the help of a radiation oncologist for their non-cancerous conditions. 

Dr. Spunberg saw this trend developing among patients who found him through others who had seen excellent outcomes for benign conditions with radiation therapy. But he didn’t expect to be among them. 

In July 2024, Dr. Spunberg began to notice a strange feeling in his hands. He soon realized it was thickening of the nodules and cords caused by Dupuytren’s contracture. 

More common in men, Dupuytren’s contracture affects up to five percent of the U.S. population. It is a condition that affects the tissues underneath the skin on the palm of the hand. Usually, it begins as a small lump or several lumps. If left untreated, this can cause the fingers to bend inwards, restricting movement. 

For Dupuytren’s disease, radiotherapy treatment reduces the risk of progression and the need for invasive surgery in approximately seventy-five percent of all cases seen. Knowing that early treatment is best to prevent symptoms worsening, Dr. Spunberg scheduled an appointment with his GenesisCare U.S. colleague, Radiation Oncologist Daniel Mark, MD who sees patients in West Palm Beach, FL.  

“Fortunately, Dr. Spunberg is acutely aware of the symptoms of this condition and sought treatment promptly, when low-dose radiotherapy is able to prevent further progression of the contracture,” says Dr. Mark. 

Dr. Spunberg was treated with five treatments daily for one week, which was repeated approximately 12 weeks later. 

“I’m very pleased with my treatment and have noticed regression in the nodules,” said Dr. Spunberg. “The only side effect I experienced was slight redness at the treatment site. Overall, the therapy caused minimal disruption to my daily life so that I could maintain my typical patient schedule without downtime,” he said. 

“Approximately 30-50% of patients relapse or experience progression after other treatment options like surgery or injections,” says Dr. Daniel Mark. “Radiotherapy is an excellent, non-invasive treatment option for benign conditions like Dupuytren’s contracture.” 

What causes Dupuytren’s contracture is unclear, but the condition has been found to run in families.

After a successful course of treatment, Dr. Spunberg’s advice for others in his situation is to be aware of warning signs such as enlargement, restriction of movement and eventual contractures in the hands, and consult early with a radiation oncologist to see if this type of therapy is right for you.

As an active radiation oncologist in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Jerome Spunberg, MD, FACR, FACRO has treated countless patients with cancer. Dr. Spunberg also uses radiation therapy to treat non-cancerous (benign) conditions such as Dupuytren’s contracture, Ledderhose disease, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and even osteoarthritis. 

As additional clinical evidence is published, it is becoming more common for the use of radiation therapy to be considered medically necessary for a range of benign conditions. When other treatments such as surgery, injections or NSAIDs aren’t suitable or fail to bring relief, patients today are seeking the help of a radiation oncologist for their non-cancerous conditions. 

Dr. Spunberg saw this trend developing among patients who found him through others who had seen excellent outcomes for benign conditions with radiation therapy. But he didn’t expect to be among them. 

In July 2024, Dr. Spunberg began to notice a strange feeling in his hands. He soon realized it was thickening of the nodules and cords caused by Dupuytren’s contracture. 

More common in men, Dupuytren’s contracture affects up to five percent of the U.S. population. It is a condition that affects the tissues underneath the skin on the palm of the hand. Usually, it begins as a small lump or several lumps. If left untreated, this can cause the fingers to bend inwards, restricting movement. 

For Dupuytren’s disease, radiotherapy treatment reduces the risk of progression and the need for invasive surgery in approximately seventy-five percent of all cases seen. Knowing that early treatment is best to prevent symptoms worsening, Dr. Spunberg scheduled an appointment with his GenesisCare U.S. colleague, Radiation Oncologist Daniel Mark, MD who sees patients in West Palm Beach, FL.  

“Fortunately, Dr. Spunberg is acutely aware of the symptoms of this condition and sought treatment promptly, when low-dose radiotherapy is able to prevent further progression of the contracture,” says Dr. Mark. 

Dr. Spunberg was treated with five treatments daily for one week, which was repeated approximately 12 weeks later. 

“I’m very pleased with my treatment and have noticed regression in the nodules,” said Dr. Spunberg. “The only side effect I experienced was slight redness at the treatment site. Overall, the therapy caused minimal disruption to my daily life so that I could maintain my typical patient schedule without downtime,” he said. 

“Approximately 30-50% of patients relapse or experience progression after other treatment options like surgery or injections,” says Dr. Daniel Mark. “Radiotherapy is an excellent, non-invasive treatment option for benign conditions like Dupuytren’s contracture.” 

What causes Dupuytren’s contracture is unclear, but the condition has been found to run in families.

After a successful course of treatment, Dr. Spunberg’s advice for others in his situation is to be aware of warning signs such as enlargement, restriction of movement and eventual contractures in the hands, and consult early with a radiation oncologist to see if this type of therapy is right for you.

The content on this site, regardless of date, should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. The content is for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified clinician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of anything you have read on this site.  

Jerome Spunberg, MD, FACR, FACRO

Dr. Spunberg attended Columbia University in New York where he received his undergraduate degree. He received his M.D. degree from Harvard Medical School. After a one-year medical internship at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, he completed his residency training in radiation oncology at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident.