While I do not support conventional medicine in most cases, clearly when you have an aggressive growing cancer, you need the largest army you can get. So adding conventional along with integrative medicine is clearly the best thing you can do for fighting this monster. Always remember, no matter what treatment you decide, you should ALWAYS feed a homemade clean diet, clean water and rid of all chemicals in the house. NO VACCINES for the rest of that dogs life either. You will also need to use natural supplements that fight cancers even if the cancer has been removed and cleared of any cancer. The genes are still circulating in the body. You will always need to keep them at bay. ~ H.O.P.S.
Tiny Beads Cause a Revolution in Cancer Treatment in Dogs
Dr. Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ
New options for cancer treatments in dogs don’t exactly occur every day. Around 2008, I heard of a new option to complement cancer surgery. So far, my results using this option have been very impressive.
Until recently, my “follow up” treatment after removal of cancerous tumors included chemotherapy and radiation therapy, just like in people. Both options have potential side-effects, and their cost can reach thousands of dollars, that’s why I’m excited about the new option of chemo beads.
About chemo beads
Chemo beads cost a fraction of any other option. Using chemo beads, veterinarians are now able to place tiny cisplatin-impregnated beads around the tumor site. Cisplatin is then slowly released from the beads, which are reabsorbed by the body over 4-6 weeks. Cisplatin is a common chemo drug, normally used IV in our canine cancer patients. One of the most common side-effects of this method is kidney damage. Now, by including a minuscule dose of cisplatin in the beads (instead of IV), we are able to drastically decrease, if not eliminate, the side-effects.
The beads measure 3 mm in diameter, or about 1 tenth of an inch.
New options for cancer treatments in dogs don’t exactly occur every day. Around 2008, I heard of a new option to complement cancer surgery. So far, my results using this option have been very impressive.
Until recently, my “follow up” treatment after removal of cancerous tumors included chemotherapy and radiation therapy, just like in people. Both options have potential side-effects, and their cost can reach thousands of dollars, that’s why I’m excited about the new option of chemo beads.
About chemo beads
Chemo beads cost a fraction of any other option. Using chemo beads, veterinarians are now able to place tiny cisplatin-impregnated beads around the tumor site. Cisplatin is then slowly released from the beads, which are reabsorbed by the body over 4-6 weeks. Cisplatin is a common chemo drug, normally used IV in our canine cancer patients. One of the most common side-effects of this method is kidney damage. Now, by including a minuscule dose of cisplatin in the beads (instead of IV), we are able to drastically decrease, if not eliminate, the side-effects.
The beads measure 3 mm in diameter, or about 1 tenth of an inch.
The limitations of chemo beads
Although cisplatin beads seem to prevent the cancer from coming back, they do not prevent spreading (metastasis), e.g. to the lungs. Luckily, some of these tumors do not spread readily to begin with.
When are the beads placed?
The best time to place the beads is at the time of surgery, when we know exactly where the tumor was and where cancer-free “margins” (i.e. edges) are questionable.
Implanting beads after the surgery (e.g. after the biopsy report reveals narrow margins) has 3 drawbacks:
The number of beads varies with the size of the tumor. They are typically placed every 1-2 cm. However, to decrease the risk of complications, we try to limit the number of beads to 15 in dogs. This means that the tumor can’t be too big, if the patient is to be a good candidate.
Side-effects of chemo beads
Side-effects are rare and typically local. They occasionally include swelling, irritation and skin drainage. Although IV cisplatin is toxic to the kidneys in dogs, general side-effects have not been observed after bead placement in dogs.
Although cisplatin beads seem to prevent the cancer from coming back, they do not prevent spreading (metastasis), e.g. to the lungs. Luckily, some of these tumors do not spread readily to begin with.
When are the beads placed?
The best time to place the beads is at the time of surgery, when we know exactly where the tumor was and where cancer-free “margins” (i.e. edges) are questionable.
Implanting beads after the surgery (e.g. after the biopsy report reveals narrow margins) has 3 drawbacks:
- It is difficult to know where margins were
- It requires another surgery under anesthesia
- There are additional costs.
The number of beads varies with the size of the tumor. They are typically placed every 1-2 cm. However, to decrease the risk of complications, we try to limit the number of beads to 15 in dogs. This means that the tumor can’t be too big, if the patient is to be a good candidate.
Side-effects of chemo beads
Side-effects are rare and typically local. They occasionally include swelling, irritation and skin drainage. Although IV cisplatin is toxic to the kidneys in dogs, general side-effects have not been observed after bead placement in dogs.
Chemo bead safety for people
Ironically, chemo drugs can cause cancer. Therefore, the pet parent should not touch any drainage with their bare hands. It is important to wear disposable, single-use gloves to clean any oozing. The patient should wear an E collar 24/7, and should be separated from other pets.
FDA on chemo beads
Cisplatin beads have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in dogs. However, there are almost no FDA chemotherapy drugs approved for pets! Most often, what veterinarians must use are actual human drugs.
Which cancers might chemo beads be used for?
Cisplatin beads do not work on all tumors. Your veterinarian or a veterinary surgeon is in the best position to decide if they are appropriate.
Indications include tumors removed with “thin margins” such as:
Ironically, chemo drugs can cause cancer. Therefore, the pet parent should not touch any drainage with their bare hands. It is important to wear disposable, single-use gloves to clean any oozing. The patient should wear an E collar 24/7, and should be separated from other pets.
FDA on chemo beads
Cisplatin beads have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in dogs. However, there are almost no FDA chemotherapy drugs approved for pets! Most often, what veterinarians must use are actual human drugs.
Which cancers might chemo beads be used for?
Cisplatin beads do not work on all tumors. Your veterinarian or a veterinary surgeon is in the best position to decide if they are appropriate.
Indications include tumors removed with “thin margins” such as:
- Soft tissue sarcomas (nerve sheath tumor, fibrosarcoma, hemangiopericytoma)
- Melanoma (in the skin or the mouth)
- Some carcinomas (squamous cell carcinoma, salivary gland carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, anal sac carcinoma)
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I have used the beads in a variety of cancerous tumors with impressive results, including:
My view of chemo beads
So far the beads have been remarkably well tolerated, and I have not seen any toxicity at all, in the kidney or anywhere else. They can, however, have local side-effects, around the surgery area. Based on informal conversations, other surgeons who use the beads have been as impressed as I have with the results.
- After the removal of a cancerous tumor (carcinoma) of the anal gland in dogs (most common)
- Multiple soft tissue sarcomas, e.g. a nerve sheath tumor in the upper thigh, a fibrosarcoma in the tongue, hemangiopericytomas in the legs
- Several thyroid cancerous masses (carcinoma)
My view of chemo beads
So far the beads have been remarkably well tolerated, and I have not seen any toxicity at all, in the kidney or anywhere else. They can, however, have local side-effects, around the surgery area. Based on informal conversations, other surgeons who use the beads have been as impressed as I have with the results.
So what’s my take? Overall, the beads are keeping their promise: they are effective, cost far less than all other options, and have had few side-effects.
Chemo beads have changed the way I deal with cancer surgery. Sadly, few colleagues have even heard about them. Hopefully, more surgeons start to use them, so that more patients can benefit from the tiny beads nationwide.
Next, check out: "Tiny Beads Cause a Revolution in Cancer Treatment in Cats" >
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
Related symptoms:
Swelling
Reviewed by:
Dr. Peter Kintzer, DVM, DACVIM
Reviewed on:
Friday, September 18, 2015
Chemo beads have changed the way I deal with cancer surgery. Sadly, few colleagues have even heard about them. Hopefully, more surgeons start to use them, so that more patients can benefit from the tiny beads nationwide.
Next, check out: "Tiny Beads Cause a Revolution in Cancer Treatment in Cats" >
If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.
Related symptoms:
Swelling
Reviewed by:
Dr. Peter Kintzer, DVM, DACVIM
Reviewed on:
Friday, September 18, 2015
