Side Effects Of Sutent

In July of 2007 my Mother had her left kidney removed due to cancer. In January 2008 we found out that the cancer had spread to her lungs. The oncologist started her on the 50 mg dose of Sutent in February but after 2 weeks she wound up in emergency at the hospital with high blood pressure (175/105) and some other side effects. They thought it may be a reaction with a new osteoporosis drug she started on. They took her off both drugs for 2 weeks and then started her on the Sutent again 2 weeks ago. The same thing has happened again. To try to keep her blood pressure down they put her on 3 different blood pressure medications but these had no effect. Her blood pressure was as high as 185/109! Anyway, the oncologist has taken her off Sutent and has told her that she will not be able to go back on it as it is too dangerous for her. She is having a CT scan at the end of April to see if the tumors in her lungs have grown. Has anyone else out there experienced this side effect with Sutent? Any suggestions for other therapies?

Scott C.

On 4/8/2008 Muzcam wrote:

In July of 2007 my Mother had her left kidney removed due to cancer. In January 2008 we found out that the cancer had spread to her lungs. The oncologist started her on the 50 mg dose of Sutent in February but after 2 weeks she wound up in emergency at the hospital with high blood pressure (175/105) and some other side effects. They thought it may be a reaction with a new osteoporosis drug she started on. They took her off both drugs for 2 weeks and then started her on the Sutent again 2 weeks ago. The same thing has happened again. To try to keep her blood pressure down they put her on 3 different blood pressure medications but these had no effect. Her blood pressure was as high as 185/109! Anyway, the oncologist has taken her off Sutent and has told her that she will not be able to go back on it as it is too dangerous for her. She is having a CT scan at the end of April to see if the tumors in her lungs have grown. Has anyone else out there experienced this side effect with Sutent? Any suggestions for other therapies?

Scott C.

Hi! Scott,   Sorry about your Mom but I too experienced high blood pressure the first time I  tried Sutent. the Dr gave me meds to control the pressure. The next round I had no elevation at all. I hope they find a med to treat your Mom. Take Care    John      

Dear Scott,

Ask your Dr. about Nexavar and Torisel. The dose of Sutent can be lowered to 37.5mg or even 25mg. If he doesn't know these things, I'd get a second opinion. My oncologist has also mentioned Avastin as an option. It has been approved to treat another type of cancer, but has been used for kidney cancer with some success. There are two new drugs on the horizon that I know about from this site. One is called Axitinib, and the other one is called Everolimus. I believe they have halted Phase III trials of Everolimus, and have applied for drug approval. Axitinib may have just started Phase III trials. You can find info. about these drugs on the internet or this site. There are options.

Good luck to your mom.

Richard

On 4/8/2008 Muzcam wrote:

In July of 2007 my Mother had her left kidney removed due to cancer. In January 2008 we found out that the cancer had spread to her lungs. The oncologist started her on the 50 mg dose of Sutent in February but after 2 weeks she wound up in emergency at the hospital with high blood pressure (175/105) and some other side effects. They thought it may be a reaction with a new osteoporosis drug she started on. They took her off both drugs for 2 weeks and then started her on the Sutent again 2 weeks ago. The same thing has happened again. To try to keep her blood pressure down they put her on 3 different blood pressure medications but these had no effect. Her blood pressure was as high as 185/109! Anyway, the oncologist has taken her off Sutent and has told her that she will not be able to go back on it as it is too dangerous for her. She is having a CT scan at the end of April to see if the tumors in her lungs have grown. Has anyone else out there experienced this side effect with Sutent? Any suggestions for other therapies?

Scott C.

       

My sister has been diagnosed with kidney cancer.  She just finished her 4th round of Sutent.  She has had the high blood pressure to the levels as described.  Her doctor put her on the one that begins with "N" double dosage and her blood pressure has dropped dramatically.  Her biggest problem is the constipation which happens about the 4th week and 1st week of rest.  She is scheduled to have tests to see if there is a difference in the size of the "mama" tumor.  Has anyone else had problems with the constipation.  The other big side effect is the foot syndrome - cracking and peeling and swelling.  She had to have the dosage reduced because of this.

my father had his kidneys removed about 5 years back now he is found to have one secondary in brain, hilum of lungs and adrenal gland. doctors have advised too start SUTENT. i want to know whether this new drug is effective in brain secondaries or not. does any one has experience of gama knife and SUTENT. can some tell me what is the survival once you have renal cell secondaries.

thank you

unnas

Hi Scott,

I have had high blood pressure for the last 22 years. i am only 40 now and i too had my kidney removed due to a cancerous mass on my kidney the size of a watermelon. I am also on Sutent 50 mg and my bp has increased as a result of a side effect. i was referred to a cardiologist who got my bp regulated and the Sutent is working wonders and my blood pressure is staying under control.

before giving up on sutent, ask you dr to refer you to a specialist to regulate your pressure.

I did have a reoccurance of renal cancer but is steady decreasing. So as long as it is working i'm trying to deal with the rest of the side effects. still working full time and raising a family.

keep the hope and be blessed.

Pepper07