Nasal Tumour - Laser?

[lehughes]

Hi Laurie!!

I’m bummed that I missed STAAR but I have been binging on four leg videos.

Have a kid with a recently diagnosed nasal tumor- owners not going to pursue radiation. Would you laser? If so what dose? I have a Respond and a Companion

Thank you!
C

[lehughes]

Hey Carrie,

STAAR was wonderful as usual… but happy to hear that binge watching my videos has filled that gap!!!

Okay… so I would laser (and have) over tumours.
Firstly, I’d have to say, what is the goal? Reduce inflammation? Decrease pain?
If yes, then, yes!

I had Peter Jenkins from Spectravet do a guest blog on the topic - https://www.fourleg.com/Blog/343/Guest- ... eosarcoma?

I’d possibly laser over or around the tumour, but also hit the sinuses and lymph nodes and area at the side of the face/jaw where the facial and trigeminal nerves come out (for pain modulation via the nerves that supply sensation to that area.)
For pain management higher doses are best. So for your Respond, I’d aim for several areas dosing at 10J/cm2… (knowing that with the Respond, you’ll need to move off of the tissues and come back onto them in order to get 10J/cm2 without getting over heading. With your Companion… aim for high dosing using whatever calculation methods it gives you.)

Really, what is there to loose? Ask the owners for feedback.
Maybe you only do the adjacent areas and nerve tracks, and not over the tumour itself. Maybe you get as close as you can to the tumour…

In this case, it’s a bit of trial and error. If it helps, great! If not, then discontinue.

Best of luck!

Laurie

[Peter A Jenkins]

I agree with Laurie's thoughts and recommendations!!

It's always a difficult call, but for a case in which palliative care is the chosen (or only available) option, the likely benefits of laser PBMt (decrease inflammation, reduce pain, improve mood and quality of life) will usually outweigh any possible downsides (increase rate of tumor growth).

Increasing the rate of tumor growth is possible but somewhat unlikely, and we can reduce the chance by taking a few precautions, such as using lower intensities/doses directly over and around the tumor so as to not inhibit the local immune response.

Incorporate irradiation of lymph nodes, too, to support/enhance immune function, and to assist with anti-inflammatory effects.

In one case reported by one of our SpectraVET customers in Hungary (Dr Katalin Kovács, novavet.nu), a dog with an aggressive sinus tumor responded excellently to laser treatment with a 4x 250 mW 810 nm laser (unfortunately I'm unable to find the actual tx parameters used). The tumor was unable to be removed due to its size and location, right between the eyes. The dog was clearly in pain and owner was wanting to euthanise, but agreed to try laser therapy as a last resort. Laser was applied directly over the sinuses to the maxilla and frontal bone, and after the first treatment the dog's mood improved and he appeared to be less distressed. Laser was continued (with no apparent effect upon the tumor itself), and the dog lived a relatively comfortable, happy life for another 6 months –– much longer than it would have had sans laser therapy.

A brain tumor case, per Dr Chip Godine (Ruckersville, VA), had a similar outcome: The dog presented as lethargic and depressed, and as a result of ongoing laser treatment was more comfortable and happier and chasing balls again for another few months.

So I would recommend trying laser, and - as Laurie said... If it helps, great! If not, then discontinue.

Cheers!
Peter