Sutent rash

Hi,

I'm in a clinical trial for Non-Small Cell Lung cancer and am on Sutent.  At first the side effects were not too bad - fatigue, taste changes and heartburn but then I developed a rash on my hand.  The rash looks like blisters and seems to be on the sides of my fingers at the joints.  They had me hold the Sutent for about a week, and the rash improved.  But each time I go back on the Sutent the rash comes back again after about 2 weeks.  I started on 37.5 mg daily; then was changed to 25 mg daily but still broke out in the rash - and now on my feet too.  It's frustrating because this is the first drug I've been on that actually seems to be working - my last scans showed improvement!  

Does anyone have any hints on how to cope with this rash?

Thanks,

Petunia 

Hi,

I am going to Sutent as a preventative very soon. I have heard of some people getting rashes on hands and feet. I will ask my Ocologist in WI tomorrow Thursday and see what people are using. I thought most people are using vasoline as some relief.

Not sure, but keep me posted. I am 37 and I was told by another Ocologist to not go to Sutent and to just wait until I get another nodule on my lung or somewhere else. I am not sure I want to do this surgery again as it is painful. Plus, what if I end up getting more then 1 nodule and my body gets full of cancer. Just some scary stuff as you know. Not sure if you still have tumors or not, but if you do you do have options outside of this Sutent.

Also, have you had any other side effects? Let me know. Everyone is different.

Thanks,

Mike

I am beginning my 20th cycle of 50mg Sutent.  The stuff works for me.  I get two separate side effects similar to yours.  I get blisters and callous on all the pressure points of my hands and feet.  I put hand cream on them 2 or 3 times a day.  I change shoes regularly and use gloves when working with my hands.  During the last two weeks of taking Sutent, I take hydrocordone for the foot pain so that I can walk perform all daily activities.  The other side effect, which started about 6 months ago, is an itchy rash on my upper arms, knees and chest.  The last week or two of the cycle is the worst.  I use both hand cream and a little hydrocortizone cream. 

It's good to hear someone else has the same problem!  Since I posted my message I've gone down one more dose reduction on the trial.  I'm now on the Sutent 25 mg daily for 4 weeks and then have 2 weeks off.  As usual the rash on my hands started during the 2nd week of treatment, and my feet got bad during the third week.  The last week I also had some diarrhea.  It was tough during the 4th week but I was determined to make it through - and I did!  It's amazing how fast the side effects go away - I felt much better 4 days after my last dose.  I have scans again next week - hopefully it will still work as well on this new dose and schedule.

I've been using lots of hand creams and moisturizers ever since I had the skin rash from Tarceva so have continued that.  I added Aquaphor cream this time for my hands and feet - I think it helped.  I also use gloves when I can.  It's hard to find a pair of shoes that are comfortable - but I keep trying.  I usually take extra strength Tylenol for the pain - the other things make me too sleepy usually but if it gets bad the next time I'll ask about something stronger.

I haven't had an itchy rash yet - but knowing my history as the "Queen of Rashes" I probably will! :)

As uncomfortable as these side effects are, I know they are not as bad as some others so I am thankful!

Keep the faith!

Petunia 

Hi,

 Thanks for the response - I've been using Eucerin Aquaphor which has vasoline in it, and it does seem to work.

Have you decided whether or not to take the Sutent?  This is the third treatment I've been on.  Surgery is not an option for me - I have multiple nodules in both lungs, none of them are big but there are many of them.  My lymph nodes were also positive.  The good news is that it's been 2 yrs since I was diagnosed, and I am still doing well.  So far my cancer has stayed fairly stable; I still work and do pretty much whatever I want; I really don't have any symptoms from the cancer - it's just the treatments that are the problem! :)  

Keep the faith!

Petunia