Dr. John Glees - Benign Conditions

Benign Conditions

Keloid Scars

Keloid, often familial, results from overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury, e.g. following ear piercing. A keloid scar is benign, but can sometimes be painful and can be accompanied by itchiness and redness. Often patients worry about the cosmetic appearance. Studies have shown that radiotherapy is highly effective in reducing keloid recurrence. A single dose of post operative superficial radiotherapy usually given within 24hrs after surgical excision prevents recurrence in as many as 90% of cases. Radiation therapy may also be indicated for

keloids that are not amenable to resection for example following sternotomy as a result of open heart surgery.

(Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:May 2003 - Volume 111 - Issue 6 - pp 1853-1859. Treatment of Keloids by Surgical Excision and Immediate Postoperative Single-Fraction Radiotherapy)


Keloid Scars before and after treatment

HBV

Heterotopic bone formation (HBF) is a condition known to orthopaedic surgeons who usually refer patients for a single radiotherapy treatment just a few hours before a hip or knee replacement as it prevents new bone formation within the operative field as a result of bruising and may cause symptoms similar to those apparent before the operation.

Br J Radiol. 2002 May;75(893):448-52. Heterotopic bone formation: irradiation of high risk patients

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Perieronie's Disease

Peyronie's Disease is a connective tissue disorder causing the growth of fibrous plaques in the penis producing an abnormal curvature. This condition is not harmful, but it might cause pain during erection and prevent intercourse, which may lead to psychological consequences.

About 30 percent of men with Peyronie's Disease develop fibrosis in the hand (Dupuytren's contracture) or foot. Research has shown that this condition may spontaneously resolve over a period of 7 to 9 years, but in a significant percentage this condition worsens. Many men find that despite the reassurance that this condition could reverse, the effect on their sexual life, and that of their partners, is too high a price to pay for waiting and seek treatment. Dr Glees uses low dose radiotherapy to treat Peyronie's Disease and about half patients respond successfully.

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Psoriasis

This is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin. It can affect any area of the body, but the common places are hands, elbows and knees. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. Although not contagious, this disease can significantly affect the sufferers’ quality of life as they often feel self-conscious about their appearance and can develop self-image problems

Plantar Fascitis & Heal Spur

These are painful conditions affecting the feet, which can be very difficult to treat medically or surgically and for which low dose radiotherapy can be helpful in about 40% of patients.

Viral Warts

Low dose superficial radiotherapy can easily eradicate this condition. Patients may have been treated with different topical creams over a long time without success. Areas commonly treated are fingers and toes.

Lederhosen syndrome

Painful collagen lumps in the soles of feet.