CancerCompass message board discussion started by Melanie Jane on 11/8/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,17768,0.htm Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ has anybody had to have a blood transfusion while on sutent,my brother has just started his 4th cycle,and told that histumers sere stable at the end of cycle 3 in the two week breakhe has been very down, fluid near his spine tumor and very tiredso now 3 days into his 4th cycle he needs ablood tansfusionanybody had to have this ?? Melanie Jane Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Melanie Jane...We are now off of the Sutent, but have had several transfusions. Not so much, I think due to the Sutent, as to the cancer itself. Jim cannot seem to get the blood level up high enough and so we have had a transfusion. We also have ahd 2 broken hips and surgery. So, that adds to our difference. We are now on Torisel, and get Procreit for the blood. It is to help build the count back up....may be you can check on that. Bless you..Nene Jo Nenejo Thu, 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT many thanks for your reply, its seems this has just come out of the blue, late yesterday he was told the cancer was active but stable, whateveer that means.Hope all goes well with your treatment, good luck Melanie Jane Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT My husband has been on sutent and Gemzar for 8 months now and has several transfusions to help when his counts are low and his energy is down. He almost looks forward to them becasue he knows he will have a much better couple of weeks after that. He also gets Procrit on a weekly basis now to reduce the need for blood. Also they have been giving him steroids at his weekly Gemzar treatment and it has significantly reduced the negative effects of both drugs on quality of life. He take them on a decreasing dose for three days after treatment. Tagml Tagml Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Many thanks for putting my mind at rest, I will askhis doctor next time we see him about the drugs you have mentioned I hope you husband continues tofeel well, good luckMelanie Melanie Jane Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT Hello, I hope your husband is feeling better with the treatments. My father has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has started sutent. I saw that your husband is on something called Gemzar. Is this another drug or immunotherapy?  I am trying to do as much reasearch as possible on available treatments for RCC since I have been told that treatments can sometimes stop working. Please advise. Thanks.     amsp00 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT