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Cat With Fibrosarcoma On Head

by ahdvm - March 15, 2010

Hi Steve:
I have a case that I need a little help with.

I have a 10 y.o. fs dsh cat. that had a Grade 1 fibrosarcoma removed at the base of her left ear in 2007. The margins were dirty so it was followed up with radiation therapy. In December 2009 the owner noticed the mass was regrowing. Chest rads WNL. Cytology: given hx tumor regrowth should be considered, but fibroblasts don't show atypia, may also be reactive fibroplasia.

According to owner, she is a picky eater and eats wellness canned and science diet hairball control. Has a history of constipation/dry feces. Definitely seeks warmth/the sun. The owner was giving the patient digestive enzymes from standard process and feels like the reoccurrence of mass occurred after she stopped giving her those.

Physical exam: overweight, tongue: red-no coating. Pulse: superficial and thin. Mass: white/flesh toned, very firm, slightly raised near ear base. Doesn't seem painful. Hair over mass and in area is gray vs. the rest of the coat which is black...changed color after radiation therapy. Otherwise PE unremarkable.

I was thinking with the red tongue and superficial pulse, but with the sun seeking that she was showing signs of damp? I was also considering that the mass could be considered blood stasis. And given the location, formed secondary to ST heat? The superficial pulse kind of confused me though.

The owner is going to change to a homeade diet. Patient is on digestive enzymes and a multivitamin. I was going to start her on hoxsey-like formula and I was also thinking I needed a blood mover possibly Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin (seems like it was recommended in other posts for fibrosarcs).

Ok I think thats all. Sorry its a lot but I have just a little bit of pressure... the owner is a human chiropractor/herbalist ;-)

Thanks!
Arielle.

by naturevet

March 16, 2010

Hi Arielle,

It may be a case of trying one formula at a time and seeing which helps. Given the absence of symptoms, we're as interested in what improves the pulse, tongue and constipation as what changes the mass.

Lately I've been doing a lot of infrared imaging on animals and people and have gained renewed appreciation for the importance of the TB channel in pathology. The TB channel runs around the base of the ear, and is invaded by Fire, which can cause heat signs and, especially, inflammed or hot lesions.

The formula that works best to pull heat out of the TB channel of the head is Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang. It seems to work best where, besides at least some heat signs, there is a slippery pulse that is superficial.

Constipation can also be treated by the formula, as can vomiting tendencies. Lastly, it is significantly antineoplastic (it has worked well for me in cutaneous lymphoma and intrathoracic tumors, for example).

Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.

Steve

by naturevet

March 16, 2010

Hi again,

Another consideration here is the use of topical herbs. Bloodroot based salves can be considered if the lesion is well circumscribed and not too big. I've also had good results with topical herb application, such as the Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin you mentioned. I just mix it in a salve and apply it topically a couple of times a day.

Food for thought if the oral route does not suffice.

All the best,

Steve

by ahdvm

April 5, 2010

So I have this patient on Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mi Li Tang and Hoxsey. I also had the owner start applying Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin mixed into a salve topically. The owner called and said that it seems to be drying out the lesion and making it bleed. I'm going to have her stop and its about time for her recheck exam, but any thoughts?
Thanks!
Arielle.

by ahdvm

April 5, 2010

also when i talked to the owner on the phone, she said shes only been giving the hoxsey becuase the patient became ill with vomiting and decreased appetite when she gave chai hu jia long gu mi li tang...does that indicate anything, beside it being the wrong formula? She will be coming in Thursday or Friday for me to assess her pulse and do a physical exam...

by naturevet

April 6, 2010

If my read of this is correct, CHJLGMLT and Hoxsey might get in your way a bit here. I'd continue topical XFHMY (you can put it into a salve if you like; that's what I do), but apply it orally as well.

Hope that helps,

Steve

by ahdvm

April 13, 2010

so when i saw this patient the other day, her pulse had improved somewhat. The owner was very concerned about her head where she had been applying the salve. The hair was completely gone and there were some excorations. I told her to decrease application to only 2-3 times per week. Do you think the can may be uncomfortable since we are now getting the blood moving a bit?

Arielle.

by naturevet

April 13, 2010

I can't think why the salve would be irritating her. What are you mixing it in? At any rate, oral herbs may well be sufficient for the dog.

S

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