Sutent - Urological Problems

Finished my 6th treatment of Sutent and I'm experiencing some urological problems in the form of TIA / very slight stroke.  Progress with Sutent has been very encouraging so far with my tumors and mets consistently shrinking  and I don't want to change treatment if possible.  However, my oncologist is a little reluctant to continue the Sutent considering the fear of high blood presure and stroke increasing.  This is the beginning of the 4th week off Sutent and I feel absolutely great!  I'm now taking seisure medication also.  I also agree that the Sutent is increasing my blood pressure when I take it.

My Oncologist is now contacting manufacturer (Pfiser) and other oncologists  for more input before making a decision.  Does anyone have any experiences and/or suggestions which I should consider on this subject that they could share.

RCC kidney cancer, stage 4, discovered in Feb. '07.  Kidney not removed, only treatment, Sutent.  Every scan shows progress so far.  I'm on 50 MG, Sutent.

Hurley, TX

Hurley:  My situation is similar to yours.  I was diagnosed in April of 07 and other than radiation and Zometa for a bone met in the left femur I have kept my kidney and gone on a 50mg Sutent treatment program.  I am on my sixth course and will have scans again in early Feb.  I have not had any new tumors detected and the primary tumor has shrunk by 50% as of seven weeks ago.  The leg appears stable.

My big concern is my blood pressure.  I am controling it with medication, but it keeps getting worse.  My Oncologist thinks it might be wise to change treatment if this continues but I hate to give up the Sutent as long as it's working.  I have recently read that high blood pressure with Sutent can be an indicator that it is working.  If you come up with somthing , let me know and I will do the same.

Richard Catlett