Sutent

Hi, I am looking for any info on Sutent being used on the primary tumor for shrinkage. My hisband was diagnosed with rcc in aug - 06 and they say the tumor is to large for safe removal and have placed him on sutent to try and shrink it. Everything I have read relates to mrcc, not the primary tumor. Any response or information would be greatly appreciated. Debbie

Hi Debbie In a lot of cases (and I am on doctor)the kidney had already been removed. My husband had his kidney removed and then 2 years later the cancer metastised to his lung and stomach. When it is in the primary spot like the kidney it is RCC when it has spread it is MRCC and a lot of people on the board may be in a different stage than your husband. My husband is in stage IV. It has move to the other locations and he is on the other side of the situation. I wish Sutent had been available 4 1/2 years ago when his cancer came back. He had is kidney out in 12/99 and it came back in the lung in 2002. Maybe sutent would have help shrink his original tumor. My husband is not taking sutent but we are trying to get it for him. He tried Nexavar and didn't work well for him. Good luck and our prayers are with you. I hope sutent will work for him and shrink the original tumor in his kidney. Keep us posted.

Hi Mazzy, Thank you for responding, and I wish you and your husband the best. I will let you know if the drug has worked for him, though we won't know till dec 8th, I hope your husband has better luck with sutent everything I have read sounds very promising. Good Luck 7 God Bless Debbie

Just read your message on the board about your husband being on Sutent. My husband was diagnosed end of April this year with terminal rcc and was sent home with no hope. In Sept Sutent became available and he has just finished his first treatment of 28 days, been off for two weeks and now is on day 2 of his second treatment. He had very minor side effects, the worse probably being a very raw stomach during the final week 4 with lots of heartburn. You really have to watch just what you eat and keep it very health...no grease, no batter, no dressing or spicy foods like chili. He is doing fantastic and is now going back to work for most of the day...he is a true miracle to his doctors but his secret is keeping a positive attitude and to keep going. The Sutent is working well so far and I wish your husband all the best....I will be posting under "Mazzy Husband........" on this forum as I originally began the forum which now has over 96 entries. Good luck!!! Willard

Hi Debbie, My son-in-law was diagnosed on Oct. 2 with RCC that had spread to his chest/spine. He had surgery on Oct. 14 and went on Sutent a week ago. Our oncologist cannot say enough good things about the drug. It was became available in February 2006 and is made by Pfizer. According to our doctors it is effective on both MRCC and the primary tumor as well. They will also do radiation when he is sufficiently recovered from the spinal surgery. Th only side effect so far has been sensitivity of taste (salty) and dry mouth. We are taking care of the dry mouth with Biotene gum and a toothpaste like ointment that is squirted on the tongue.