Benign Radiation Therapy

When you hear the words “radiation therapy,” you probably think of cancer treatment. So if your doctor recommends radiation for a condition that isn’t cancer, you may have questions.

Benign radiation therapy treats certain noncancerous conditions, including painful joints, scar tissue, and abnormal tissue growth. Depending on the condition, it may ease symptoms or help keep unwanted tissue from growing or coming back.

At the San Antonio Cancer Center, we offer benign radiation therapy in San Antonio, TX, for patients who may benefit from this treatment.

Why Is Radiation Used for a Noncancerous Condition?

Radiation can reduce inflammation and slow the growth of unwanted tissue. Depending on the condition, treatment may:

Help keep scar tissue from coming back
Slow the growth of unwanted tissue
Help prevent problems with movement
Ease pain and inflammation

Treatment plans vary, but many benign conditions can be treated with lower radiation doses than those used for cancer.

What Benign Conditions Can Be Treated with Radiation?

Radiation may be an option for several conditions that aren’t cancer.

Heterotopic Ossification

Heterotopic ossification (HO) happens when extra bone grows in soft tissue, often after joint surgery or an injury. This can cause pain and make it harder to move.

Radiation may help prevent this bone from forming, especially if you’ve had HO before. Treatment usually takes one painless session, given within 24 hours before surgery or 72 hours afterward.

Keloids

Keloids are raised scars that grow beyond the original wound. They may itch, hurt, or become larger over time.

Removing a keloid doesn’t always solve the problem because the scar can grow back. Radiation given soon after surgery can lower that risk.

Treatment usually starts within 24 to 48 hours after surgery and takes a few short, painless sessions.

Dupuytren’s and Ledderhose Disease

Dupuytren’s disease causes thick tissue to form in the palm of your hand. Over time, it may pull your fingers inward, making them harder to straighten.

Ledderhose disease causes similar lumps along the bottom of your foot, which may make walking uncomfortable.

Radiation may slow these conditions in their early stages, before the tissue becomes too thick or stiff.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, and trouble moving as the tissues in your joints wear down over time.

For some people whose joint pain hasn’t improved with other treatments, low-dose radiation may be considered. It’s used more often in some countries than in the United States, and research on how well it works is mixed.

Treatment focuses on the affected joint while limiting radiation to nearby healthy tissue. It may involve several short sessions over two to three weeks.

Graves’ Ophthalmopathy

Graves’ ophthalmopathy causes swelling and inflammation around the eyes. You may have eye discomfort, double vision, or trouble moving your eyes.

For some people with active eye disease, radiation can reduce inflammation and improve eye movement. It’s sometimes used alongside other treatments, including medications.

Pituitary Adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are usually noncancerous tumors that grow in the pituitary gland at the base of your brain. They can affect hormone levels and sometimes cause vision problems.

Surgery is often the first treatment. Radiation may be recommended if the tumor can’t be fully removed or continues to grow or cause problems.

Treatment may involve one highly focused session or several sessions over a few weeks.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia causes sudden, severe facial pain. Even simple activities like eating, talking, or brushing your teeth can trigger an episode.

If medicine or other treatments haven’t worked, radiation may help ease the pain.

Pain relief may take several weeks or months, and results vary.

When Is Benign Radiation Therapy Considered?

Radiation isn’t usually the first treatment for a noncancerous condition. Your doctor may recommend it when other treatments haven’t worked or when it could help prevent a problem from coming back.

Timing matters, too. Radiation for keloids is usually given soon after scar removal. For Dupuytren’s disease, radiation may work best in the early stages.

Your radiation oncologist will consider:

Your condition and symptoms
How much the condition affects your daily life
Treatments you’ve already tried
Your overall health
The possible benefits and risks of radiation

Together, you’ll decide whether radiation is a good option for you.

What Can You Expect During Benign Radiation Therapy?

Your first visit is a consultation with a radiation oncologist. They’ll review your condition, discuss your treatment options, and explain what to expect.

If you decide to have treatment, the radiation team will plan where to aim the radiation while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.

During each session, you’ll lie or sit in a comfortable position while the machine delivers radiation. You won’t feel the radiation itself, and you can usually go home afterward.

Some conditions need only one treatment. Others require several short visits over a few days or weeks.

Are There Side Effects of Benign Radiation Therapy?

Side effects depend on the area being treated and the amount of radiation used. Many people have few or mild short-term effects, which may include:

Skin redness or irritation
Tenderness or swelling
Feeling more tired than usual

Radiation also carries a small risk of long-term problems, including a possible increased risk of developing cancer years later. The level of risk depends on your treatment.

Your radiation oncologist will explain the risks and benefits before treatment so you can make an informed decision.