Radiation therapy for non-cancer diseases

When you think of radiation therapy, it's usually associated as a treatment option for those with cancer.

However, not as often, but increasingly, non-cancerous conditions are benefitting from low dose radiation.

University of Michigan Health radiation oncologist Borislav Hristov, M.D., shares more on who could benefit from this treatment option.

What types of diseases might benefit from radiation therapy? 

Hristov: Radiation can certainly be beneficial for non-cancerous (benign) conditions.

These include benign growth/tumors that do not metastasize, such as meningiomas, aterio-venous malformations and we also offer ablative therapies for neurological conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia and tremors.

It can also be beneficial for inflammatory and fibrotic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, keloids, and Duputryen’s contracture.

Has radiation therapy always been an option for some benign diseases, or is this something newer for patients? 

Hristov: Radiation has been used for these conditions for many years; however, inflammatory conditions were not treated as commonly in this country until recently.

In Europe, however, it has been commonplace for many decades to treat inflammatory joint conditions with low dose radiation.

How safe is radiation therapy for those with benign disease? 

Hristov: Low dose radiation is very safe to administer and can even be repeated safely without any acute or long term side effects.

We typically deliver these low doses in 6 sessions spread over two to three weeks.

Data from Germany reports no late cases of radiation-induced malignancies for thousands of patients that were treated there over many decades.

How does radiation therapy benefit patients without cancer? 

Hristov: Patients treated with low dose radiation for inflammatory joint conditions can experience relief immediately upon treatment completion.

Approximately two thirds to three fourths of patients experience significant pain relief lasting six to 12 months and even longer according to some studies.

Before starting radiation therapy for non-cancer diseases, what should you be aware of?

Hristov: That this treatment, although not commonly used in this country, has been proven effective and has been in use in Europe for many decades; also recent positive data and high-level evidence from this country and Asia are starting to raise awareness and interest.

Low dose radiation therapy for arthritis is most effective for mild to moderate and moderate to severe cases of arthritis and isn't effective with advanced bone-on-bone arthritis or arthritis from autoimmune conditions.

It can be particularly useful in patients who cannot tolerate pain medications (NSAIDs, opiates) or who wish to defer or are not good candidates for surgery such as knee replacement surgery.

Those interested in exploring this option should discuss with their primary care provider or any other specialty provider and request a referral. 

The radiation team at U-M Health Rogel Cancer Center can arrange for an in-person or virtual visit to evaluate this treatment option.

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