Palliative therapeutic intervention in canine oral melanoma: adjuvant treatment approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Oral neoplasms are classified as non-odontogenic, predominantly malignant, and odontogenic, typically benign. Melanoma is a malignant tumor arising from melanocytes and nevus cells, found in the skin and mucous membranes, with increasing incidence and high mortality. In the oral cavity, although rare, it primarily affects the palate-alveolar mucosa. Diagnosis is made through histopathology and immunohistochemistry, with surgical intervention being the primary treatment. However, metronomic therapies combined with immunotherapy and nutritional management show promise in inoperable cases. This case report discusses a 13-year-old female canine with advanced oral melanoma. The treatment regimen included cyclophosphamide, piroxicam, a non-specific immunostimulant, a low-carbohydrate diet, and CBD and THC extracts. The disease remained stable for 194 days, maintaining quality of life. However, at 218 days, tumor progression resumed, leading to euthanasia. This case suggests that metronomic therapy combined with immunotherapy and nutritional management may slow disease progression, although further research is needed to validate these findings in a larger cohort. Additionally, non-specific immunotherapy and the use of cannabis extracts could be valuable additions to the treatment of oral neoplasms in veterinary medicine.