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Metastatic Melanoma

by Pamela77 - March 1, 2010

Hi Dr.Marsden,

"Keefe" is a 11yr old MN Rottie with subungual metastatic melanoma of his Left rear toe #2. We removed his toe along with his popliteal node and metastatic nodules along his lymphatics up his leg. His chest rads and abdominal ultrasounds are clean so far. He started his first melanoma vaccine today. He is on fish oils and will be on mushrooms by Thorne. His tongue is very slightly pale, moist, with sl phlegm and his pulses are slightly thin and weak. He has had a long history of naildbed infections R front #5 and L rear #2 since 3/9/09. He was on Xian fang huo ming yin on/off in summer of 09. What herbs do you recommend?

Thank you,
Michele

by naturevet

March 2, 2010

Hi Michelle,

XFHMY is not a bad formula to inhibit regrowth and metastasis of the melanoma. We've had some dogs live 1 1/2 years, with the tumor in situ.

If the dog strikes you as quite Blood deficient, we have some of these dogs on Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang instead. Both invigorate peripheral circulation to enhance immune surveillance while having anti-neoplastic activity. You can enhance this in the latter formula by adding San Leng and E Zhu.

Lastly, another formula that is more Spleen supportive for improving peripheral circulation is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. I don't have any direct experience of this in melanoma, but it should be antineoplastic.

Lastly, IP 6 appears possibly beneficial in this tumor if you can source it. It shouldn't have any associated risks.

Good luck,

Steve

by Pamela77

March 2, 2010

Hi Steve,
We had thought of XFZYT and are having difficulty choosing between the 2 formulas. The dog is not hot and does not have forceful pulses, but he sure fits the melanoma description, and he does have some phlegm and some blood deficieny. He was more blood deficient early on in life (he greyed early and use to have a pale tongue) but years of good care and good diet have made his tongue almost pink now. The little tumors we took off up the leg were pale in color. He does not have sp qi def sx such as loose stool or poor digestion. Which herb do you think we should we start with? Is there a way to use both, or one after the other...If we use xian fang huo ming yin and he gets pale then switch...

Your thoughts are helpful.

Pamela

by naturevet

March 3, 2010

Hi again,

If the pulse is feeble, I think you're okay to try XFZYT, and we'll just deal with Damp if it shows up, with the formula used depending on how exactly it manifests. If it's a no show, then the formula should work well.

Good luck!

Steve

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