Benign Conditions

In addition to cancer treatment, Eastern Oregon Cancer Center may offer radiation therapy for select benign (noncancerous) conditions in carefully chosen situations. Using low-dose radiotherapy, treatment is delivered at doses much lower than those used for cancer care, with the goal of reducing inflammation, easing pain, or slowing abnormal tissue growth. At other radiation oncology centers, this approach is used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, bursitis, tendonitis, Dupuytren’s contracture, Ledderhose disease, keloids, hypertrophic scars, and heterotopic ossification.

Low-dose radiotherapy may be considered when symptoms have not improved enough with more conservative treatments and when a noninvasive option may be appropriate. Modern radiation therapy allows treatment to be delivered precisely to the affected area while limiting dose to surrounding normal tissue. Radiation for benign conditions is not right for every patient, so recommendations are made on an individual basis after review by a radiation oncologist.

Benign conditions that may be treated include:

• Osteoarthritis

• Plantar fasciitis

• Bursitis

• Tendonitis

• Dupuytren’s contracture

• Ledderhose disease

• Keloids and hypertrophic scars

• Heterotopic ossification
  

When this treatment may help

For selected patients, low-dose radiotherapy may help reduce pain, improve mobility, decrease inflammation, or lower the risk that abnormal tissue returns after other treatment. It is most often considered for patients seeking symptom relief with a non-surgical approach.

A thoughtful, individualized approach

Because benign conditions vary widely, the best treatment depends on the diagnosis, prior treatments, the area involved, and the patient’s goals. Our team can help determine whether radiation therapy may be a reasonable option as part of your care plan.