My 12-year dog had a cancerous growth removed from her mouth a few weeks ago. The local vet recommends an oncologist visit and HIGHLY recommends the Melanoma 'Vaccine' if the cancer has spread. Well, I, like most or all of you, do not believe in vaccines (well, other than rabies because in the state where I live in, it is dangerous to have dogs 'unlawful'). With that said, I do believe that there are times when homeopathic options AND conventional procedures are the course to follow. I have read a number of articles about this Melanoma 'Vaccine' (although not really a vaccine but labeled one because it causes an immune response) which contains DNA codes for human tyrosinase. After multiple injections, the dog's body supposedly starts to produce this human protein and then his/her body stimulates an immune response. On top of all this, it suggests that this transdermal procedure only be started AFTER local disease has been dealt with ie. through surgery &/or radiation etc. My dog's BEAM is 10/10 but it also was a 10/10 when this rapid cancerous growth was growing in her mouth. She does have an appointment with an oncologist next week and I want to be prepared to make an informed decision by hearing all of your wisdom and thoughts. Please advise! THANK YOU.
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Melanoma 'Vaccine'
- Thread starter LouiseRF
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2020
- Messages
- 706
Hi Louise, well (of course) it depends. Here's what I can find in my research:
You're right, it's not really a vaccine, and wouldn't carry the side effects of traditional vaccines, especially the adjuvanted ones. Adverse effects tend to be local and mild (injection site pain, redness, swelling), plus occasionally GI upset.
What was the stage of the melanoma? Was it considered benign (as most oral ones are)? The vaccine is only licensed for distal tumors (legs, toes).
The vaccine is intended to prevent metastases. If the excision was complete with good margins, then it could be useful. It does not prevent recurrence of local disease. (The main concern in that location.) Radiation and chemo aren't very good either.
When you talk to the oncologist, don't let them bully you. Make them justify the vaccine (and its cost) with every bit of data they can muster, especially regarding oral tumors (which it's not designed for).
Recent data is lacking, which makes me think it's not being used much. Part of that is it's hard to get, it's been on backorder forever. If your oncologist has it, there may be a financial incentive to use it when a somewhat suitable case comes along. Not wanting to impugn motives here, but its high cost and access issues are facts.
My personal bias would lie instead in supporting your dog's immune system with an extremely clean, extremely low-carb diet (most cancers LOVE carbs and sugar), the Happiness Protocol, energy work, and homeopathy.
Let us know how your appointment goes! We are with you in spirit!
You're right, it's not really a vaccine, and wouldn't carry the side effects of traditional vaccines, especially the adjuvanted ones. Adverse effects tend to be local and mild (injection site pain, redness, swelling), plus occasionally GI upset.
What was the stage of the melanoma? Was it considered benign (as most oral ones are)? The vaccine is only licensed for distal tumors (legs, toes).
The vaccine is intended to prevent metastases. If the excision was complete with good margins, then it could be useful. It does not prevent recurrence of local disease. (The main concern in that location.) Radiation and chemo aren't very good either.
When you talk to the oncologist, don't let them bully you. Make them justify the vaccine (and its cost) with every bit of data they can muster, especially regarding oral tumors (which it's not designed for).
Recent data is lacking, which makes me think it's not being used much. Part of that is it's hard to get, it's been on backorder forever. If your oncologist has it, there may be a financial incentive to use it when a somewhat suitable case comes along. Not wanting to impugn motives here, but its high cost and access issues are facts.
My personal bias would lie instead in supporting your dog's immune system with an extremely clean, extremely low-carb diet (most cancers LOVE carbs and sugar), the Happiness Protocol, energy work, and homeopathy.
Let us know how your appointment goes! We are with you in spirit!
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- Feb 23, 2017
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- 5,938
I think Oncept is OK for oral melanoma. Tho as we discussed today Louise, it is super pricey (I saw one quote of $600/shot and at least 4 are required).
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- Mar 3, 2021
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...and Tincture of Love is quite inexpensive, no? I'd go with the Love angle, too: tons of attention, bedtime stories all day long, indulgent sniff walks, lovely fresh foods. ...and then there is homeopathy. Believe this all works - and it will, to the extent she can muster. It's all we can do - and it's the best we can do.
I know nothing about the vaccine, however my gut is saying no. I think a low or zero carb healthy fresh food diet along with lots of love will do more than the vaccine which could actually cause harm. However, I am a person who has personally seen vaccine damage in my dogs and myself so I could be bias.
Nancy
Nancy
Here's what they said. I would greatly appreciate any and all feedback. THANK YOU
Patient: Chloe
Species: Canine
Breed: Shepherd Mix
Age: 12 Yrs. 2 Mos.
Sex: Spayed Female
Weight: 19.7 kg
____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Oncology Consultation
Diagnosis/Problem List:
1. Oral malignant melanoma right maxillary buccal mucosa in region of previously extracted tooth
108; excised 1/10/25; bx to vetpath 1/16/25: MI: 21, narrow excision with 1-2mm deep and 2-3mm
peripheral margins
2. H/O right elbow SQ mass; cytology 7/2/24: lipoma
3. H/O Lyme +
4. H/O Anaplasma +
5. H/O lipoma left flank
History:
PPhx:
-H/O right elbow SQ mass; cytology 7/2/24: lipoma
-H/O Lyme +
-H/O Anaplasma +
-H/O lipoma left flank
Chloe was seen by her rdvm on 6/2024 for a wellness visit and an 8mm x 5mm mass was
noted in the right maxillary buccal mucosa in the region of the previously extracted tooth #108. On
12/26/24 the mass was 3x larger (see photo in record). On 1/6/25 a cbc/chem/T4/UA revealed 1+
proteinuria, rest NSF. A 4dx on 1/6/25 revealed anaplasma + and lyme + (both were historically +).
On 1/10/25 Chloe was taken to sx with Dr. to have the oral mass excised. Bx to vetpath on
1/16/25 revealed an oral malignant melanoma with MI: 21, narrow excision with 1-2mm deep and
2-3mm peripheral margins.
Chloe healed well from sx and is reported to be doing well currently with a normal energy and
appetite and no c/s/v/d. She is able to prehend food normally with no oral bleeding or dropping of
food.
Diet: Raw diet
Current Medications: Vitamins; mushroom supplements; omega-3; bone broth; probiotic
Previous Radiographs: None
Previous AUS: None
Previous bloodwork: cbc/chem/T4/UA/4dx 1/6/25
Activity: Normal
Appetite: Normal
Vomiting: None
Diarrhea: None
Coughing: None
Sneezing: None
PU/PD: None
Physical Examination:
Wt: 19.7 kg T: 102.2 F P: 104bpm R: 20bpm BCS: 5/9
MM: pink/moist CRT< 2 sec Hydration: adequate
EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, ears clean AU, throat normal on palpation, moderate tartar;
there is a sx scar right maxillary buccal-gingival mucosa in region of previously extracted
tooth 108 (site of melanoma)
CVR: No murmur or arrhythmia; s/s pulses, lung sounds clear bilaterally no crackles/wheezes noted
GI/UG: Soft and non-painful, no organomegaly or masses noted
RECTAL: NSF; no masses; no melena or hematochezia
LNs: right mand LN: 7mm; rest wnl
MS: Ambulatory x 4, no lameness noted
INTEG: there is a 10cm x 11cm soft SQ mass left flank (historic lipoma); could not locate the
historic right elbow lipoma on exam today
NEURO: Appropriate mentation, full neuro exam not performed
Diagnostic Testing:
1. 3V CXR: radiology report pending
2. Left and right mandibular LN FNA: cytology pending at VetPath
Treatments Administered:
None
Medications:
None prescribed
*If Chloe starts palladia chemotherapy in the future please either cook her raw diet or switch
to a commercial diet*
Recommendations:
It was very nice to meet you and Chloe today. She is a very sweet girl!
Today we discussed the diagnosis of oral malignant melanoma. Melanomas occur in dogs in 3
common locations-the oral cavity, the digits, and the skin. Melanomas within the oral cavity and of the
digits can behave in a very aggressive fashion while melanomas of the skin are typically more benign
in their behavior.
Due to the location of Chloe's melanoma we discussed the need for both good local control and good
systemic control of the tumor.
Options for local control include surgery or radiation therapy. Chloe has already had the melanoma
surgically excised but the margins of excision were narrow so we discussed options for further local
tumor control (to help lessen the chance that the melanoma will regrow at the surgical scar):
1. Given the location of the melanoma and associated surgical scar, a second surgery will likely not
be possible to achieve wide margins
2. As a second surgery will not be possible, we recommended radiation therapy for local tumor
control. This would entail 4-6 weekly treatments and each treatment would require a short anesthetic
event. Radiation therapy would also require travel to the surrounding states as there is not currently
a radiation oncologist in CT. We discussed the potential acute radiation side effects of local irritation,
redness, and ulceration of the mouth in the treatment field. These side effects typically occur
towards the end of the treatment protocol and are transient lasting about 2 weeks. These side
effects tend to be more mild for melanomas given the treatment protocol and they can be mitigated
with supportive medications if needed. Late radiation side effects are very rare (occurs in less than
5% of patients) but can include bone necrosis or the development of a secondary malignancy and
occur 6 months or longer after radiation therapy treatments.
We also discussed systemic control with the Oncept melanoma vaccine which is given once every 2
weeks for 4 initial treatments and is then boostered once every 6 months. The vaccine is safe and
typically has no side effects other than redness at the vaccine site which resolves within 1-2 days if it
occurs. We also discussed the use of oral palladia chemotherapy which is administered at home on
a M/W/F basis for 6-12 months. This chemotherapy drug is anti-angiogenic and is intended to help
slow the cancer's new blood vessel formation and thereby help to slow and starve the cancer. This
chemotherapy is typically tolerated well with minimal side effects. If side effects occur, the most
common clinical side effect is diarrhea (sometimes with red blood). If this were to occur, we can
typically get it to resolve with protocol adjustments. We would see Chloe periodically to monitor her
blood work/urine while on this chemotherapy to monitor her cell counts and monitor for protein
development in her urine .
Chloe can be treated with both the Oncept melanoma vaccine and the oral palladia chemotherapy,
but if only one form of sytemic therapy can be pursued, we recommend the Oncept melanoma
vaccine.
We would monitor Chloe with periodic chest xrays going forward to monitor for the development of
lung metastasis and we would continue to monitor the surgery site in her mouth to monitor for the
development of local tumor recurrence.
With good local control in conjunction with the melanoma vaccine survival times for oral melanomas
can improve from 3-6 months without therapy to 1-2 years with local and systemic therapy.
Today we recommended and pursued staging with chest xrays and mandibular lymph node aspirates
prior to pursuing therapy, to ensure there is no sign of metastasis to Chloe's lungs or lymph nodes.
We will call you with the chest xray radiology report by the end of the day tomorrow and with the
lymph node cytology results in 1 week.
After our discussion today, you will await the diagnostic test results and then decide if you want to
start Chloe on the Oncept melanoma vaccine +/- palladia chemotherapy here at Hospital.
You will also consider pursuing a radiation therapy consult with a radiation oncologist.
Please call with any questions or concerns as you are making your decisions for Chloe and we are
awaiting the diagnostic test results.
Recheck:
-Pending diagnostic test results and owner decision
Sincerely,
(Oncology)
Patient: Chloe
Species: Canine
Breed: Shepherd Mix
Age: 12 Yrs. 2 Mos.
Sex: Spayed Female
Weight: 19.7 kg
____________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Oncology Consultation
Diagnosis/Problem List:
1. Oral malignant melanoma right maxillary buccal mucosa in region of previously extracted tooth
108; excised 1/10/25; bx to vetpath 1/16/25: MI: 21, narrow excision with 1-2mm deep and 2-3mm
peripheral margins
2. H/O right elbow SQ mass; cytology 7/2/24: lipoma
3. H/O Lyme +
4. H/O Anaplasma +
5. H/O lipoma left flank
History:
PPhx:
-H/O right elbow SQ mass; cytology 7/2/24: lipoma
-H/O Lyme +
-H/O Anaplasma +
-H/O lipoma left flank
Chloe was seen by her rdvm on 6/2024 for a wellness visit and an 8mm x 5mm mass was
noted in the right maxillary buccal mucosa in the region of the previously extracted tooth #108. On
12/26/24 the mass was 3x larger (see photo in record). On 1/6/25 a cbc/chem/T4/UA revealed 1+
proteinuria, rest NSF. A 4dx on 1/6/25 revealed anaplasma + and lyme + (both were historically +).
On 1/10/25 Chloe was taken to sx with Dr. to have the oral mass excised. Bx to vetpath on
1/16/25 revealed an oral malignant melanoma with MI: 21, narrow excision with 1-2mm deep and
2-3mm peripheral margins.
Chloe healed well from sx and is reported to be doing well currently with a normal energy and
appetite and no c/s/v/d. She is able to prehend food normally with no oral bleeding or dropping of
food.
Diet: Raw diet
Current Medications: Vitamins; mushroom supplements; omega-3; bone broth; probiotic
Previous Radiographs: None
Previous AUS: None
Previous bloodwork: cbc/chem/T4/UA/4dx 1/6/25
Activity: Normal
Appetite: Normal
Vomiting: None
Diarrhea: None
Coughing: None
Sneezing: None
PU/PD: None
Physical Examination:
Wt: 19.7 kg T: 102.2 F P: 104bpm R: 20bpm BCS: 5/9
MM: pink/moist CRT< 2 sec Hydration: adequate
EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, ears clean AU, throat normal on palpation, moderate tartar;
there is a sx scar right maxillary buccal-gingival mucosa in region of previously extracted
tooth 108 (site of melanoma)
CVR: No murmur or arrhythmia; s/s pulses, lung sounds clear bilaterally no crackles/wheezes noted
GI/UG: Soft and non-painful, no organomegaly or masses noted
RECTAL: NSF; no masses; no melena or hematochezia
LNs: right mand LN: 7mm; rest wnl
MS: Ambulatory x 4, no lameness noted
INTEG: there is a 10cm x 11cm soft SQ mass left flank (historic lipoma); could not locate the
historic right elbow lipoma on exam today
NEURO: Appropriate mentation, full neuro exam not performed
Diagnostic Testing:
1. 3V CXR: radiology report pending
2. Left and right mandibular LN FNA: cytology pending at VetPath
Treatments Administered:
None
Medications:
None prescribed
*If Chloe starts palladia chemotherapy in the future please either cook her raw diet or switch
to a commercial diet*
Recommendations:
It was very nice to meet you and Chloe today. She is a very sweet girl!
Today we discussed the diagnosis of oral malignant melanoma. Melanomas occur in dogs in 3
common locations-the oral cavity, the digits, and the skin. Melanomas within the oral cavity and of the
digits can behave in a very aggressive fashion while melanomas of the skin are typically more benign
in their behavior.
Due to the location of Chloe's melanoma we discussed the need for both good local control and good
systemic control of the tumor.
Options for local control include surgery or radiation therapy. Chloe has already had the melanoma
surgically excised but the margins of excision were narrow so we discussed options for further local
tumor control (to help lessen the chance that the melanoma will regrow at the surgical scar):
1. Given the location of the melanoma and associated surgical scar, a second surgery will likely not
be possible to achieve wide margins
2. As a second surgery will not be possible, we recommended radiation therapy for local tumor
control. This would entail 4-6 weekly treatments and each treatment would require a short anesthetic
event. Radiation therapy would also require travel to the surrounding states as there is not currently
a radiation oncologist in CT. We discussed the potential acute radiation side effects of local irritation,
redness, and ulceration of the mouth in the treatment field. These side effects typically occur
towards the end of the treatment protocol and are transient lasting about 2 weeks. These side
effects tend to be more mild for melanomas given the treatment protocol and they can be mitigated
with supportive medications if needed. Late radiation side effects are very rare (occurs in less than
5% of patients) but can include bone necrosis or the development of a secondary malignancy and
occur 6 months or longer after radiation therapy treatments.
We also discussed systemic control with the Oncept melanoma vaccine which is given once every 2
weeks for 4 initial treatments and is then boostered once every 6 months. The vaccine is safe and
typically has no side effects other than redness at the vaccine site which resolves within 1-2 days if it
occurs. We also discussed the use of oral palladia chemotherapy which is administered at home on
a M/W/F basis for 6-12 months. This chemotherapy drug is anti-angiogenic and is intended to help
slow the cancer's new blood vessel formation and thereby help to slow and starve the cancer. This
chemotherapy is typically tolerated well with minimal side effects. If side effects occur, the most
common clinical side effect is diarrhea (sometimes with red blood). If this were to occur, we can
typically get it to resolve with protocol adjustments. We would see Chloe periodically to monitor her
blood work/urine while on this chemotherapy to monitor her cell counts and monitor for protein
development in her urine .
Chloe can be treated with both the Oncept melanoma vaccine and the oral palladia chemotherapy,
but if only one form of sytemic therapy can be pursued, we recommend the Oncept melanoma
vaccine.
We would monitor Chloe with periodic chest xrays going forward to monitor for the development of
lung metastasis and we would continue to monitor the surgery site in her mouth to monitor for the
development of local tumor recurrence.
With good local control in conjunction with the melanoma vaccine survival times for oral melanomas
can improve from 3-6 months without therapy to 1-2 years with local and systemic therapy.
Today we recommended and pursued staging with chest xrays and mandibular lymph node aspirates
prior to pursuing therapy, to ensure there is no sign of metastasis to Chloe's lungs or lymph nodes.
We will call you with the chest xray radiology report by the end of the day tomorrow and with the
lymph node cytology results in 1 week.
After our discussion today, you will await the diagnostic test results and then decide if you want to
start Chloe on the Oncept melanoma vaccine +/- palladia chemotherapy here at Hospital.
You will also consider pursuing a radiation therapy consult with a radiation oncologist.
Please call with any questions or concerns as you are making your decisions for Chloe and we are
awaiting the diagnostic test results.
Recheck:
-Pending diagnostic test results and owner decision
Sincerely,
(Oncology)
Last edited:
Basically, we were told that with this type of cancer, even if Chloe's xrays are clear, there are without a doubt, lots of microscopic cancer cells in her body. And, sadly, if we do nothing, she will probably only live about 3 to 6 months.
Some good news though... I just started using the Bengston method with Chloe, and when the oncologist, her techs, and we looked for the small growth on one of her elbows, we either were not looking well enough or it went away
.
Some good news though... I just started using the Bengston method with Chloe, and when the oncologist, her techs, and we looked for the small growth on one of her elbows, we either were not looking well enough or it went away
.I am so sorry you are having to go through this with your precious pooch. I really have no knowledge about this, however I believe I would take the approach that offers the best chance at quality of life, even if it is shorter. One thing I have always wished for my dogs is for a healthy life span vs length.
Sending prayers your way.
Nancy
Sending prayers your way.
Nancy
At this point, would any blood tests from Cancer Diagnostics – VDI Laboratory, LLC be helpful?
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2017
- Messages
- 5,938
Ooh, great question!
For monitoring, yes.
You may want to call them and discuss this with Randy (the VDI founder).
Randy also did a great cancer diagnostics webinar for HA! 2 awhile back. You can find it by searching your member area.
For monitoring, yes.
You may want to call them and discuss this with Randy (the VDI founder).
Randy also did a great cancer diagnostics webinar for HA! 2 awhile back. You can find it by searching your member area.
Thanks. Like the chest x-rays, I'm happy to report that the lymph nodes are clear
. Oncologist still recommends starting the 'vaccine.' What do you know about The Banerji Protocals? Is it something worth researching?I'm still searching for the replay but cannot find it. The person that I spoke to at VDI suggested having a vet choose the blood tests that would be beneficial for Chloe's health plan.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2017
- Messages
- 5,938
Quite a bit. IMHO, this would not replace Oncept.
Maybe in addition to Oncept or JUST instead as part of a holistic approach? What can you tell me about it? THANKS
Maybe in addition to Oncept or JUST instead as part of a holistic approach? What can you tell me about it? THANKS
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2017
- Messages
- 5,938
Tidbits 93: Calling Out The “Banerji Protocols”
I've had just about enough of this: the so-called "Banerji Protocols"!
hpathy.com
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2018
- Messages
- 143
Hi, @LouiseRF , here is the VDI testing webinar that Dr. Jeff was referring to: Non member login - Holistic Actions!
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2021
- Messages
- 607
Oh, good grief! Those poor people! It's bad enough to get inappropriate remedies, but SO much worse to stack them up, repeat...Can you say "abuse"?
Homeopathy is a gentle, circumspect method, in which restraint and conservatism are even more important, often, than the actual choice of remedy. I have no credentials and am NOT a homeopath, and yet I have seen and experienced the power of one tiny dose on many occasions.
We can't stop these guys from their no doubt lucrative - and maybe even well-meaning - methods. But we are morally obligated to practice according to the true masters, and above all carefully to observe and consider the results of our prescriptions. It's not a religion - just good science.
Homeopathy is a gentle, circumspect method, in which restraint and conservatism are even more important, often, than the actual choice of remedy. I have no credentials and am NOT a homeopath, and yet I have seen and experienced the power of one tiny dose on many occasions.
We can't stop these guys from their no doubt lucrative - and maybe even well-meaning - methods. But we are morally obligated to practice according to the true masters, and above all carefully to observe and consider the results of our prescriptions. It's not a religion - just good science.
