Official SUTENT® site

Medication Guide | Site Map | Full Prescribing Information

Home

Insurance help from First Resource

Tools for patients

Tools for caregivers

Education and support

Important safety information

Get e-mail updates

Treating RCC with SUTENT

E-mail this page to a friend

Printer-friendly page

Back

What is GIST?

GIST is cancer that occurs in the digestive, or gastrointestinal, system. It is called a stromal tumor because the cancer starts in a type of tissue called the stroma. This tissue is part of the walls of the stomach and intestines. GIST can occur in almost any part of the digestive tract. GIST usually grows in the stomach or small intestine.

GIST often grows as a single tumor. Some of the cancer cells may enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body. New tumors may then develop in other organs. This is called metastasis. GIST may spread to your liver, for example. If this happens, it is still called GIST (metastatic GIST), and not liver cancer.

How does GIST form?

Cancers, such as GIST, occur when cells grow out of control. Each cell is programmed to grow or divide at certain times. Sometimes this genetic program breaks down. This breakdown makes the cell grow and divide when it is not supposed to. When this happens, it becomes a cancer cell. Soon a large mass of cancer cells forms. The mass is called a tumor. Some tumors can spread and threaten your health.

NEXT: Surgery for GIST

SUTENT is used to treat GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor). This is a rare cancer of the stomach, bowel, or esophagus. SUTENT is used when the medicine Gleevec^® (imatinib mesylate) did not stop the cancer from growing or when you cannot take Gleevec.

Important safety information

SUTENT may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. If you do, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking SUTENT. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT.

SUTENT may cause heart problems. Tell your doctor if you feel very tired, are short of breath, feel faint or dizzy, or have swollen feet and ankles.

In rare cases, SUTENT may cause a hole in the stomach or bowel wall or bleeding from the tumor. This could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting or coughing blood, and black, sticky stools. Your doctor can tell you other symptoms to watch for.

SUTENT may increase blood pressure. Your doctor may check your blood pressure, and may treat you for it.

SUTENT may interact with other treatments or products. Tell your doctor or nurse about each medicine, vitamin, or herbal product that you use. Do not take St. John's Wort, eat grapefruit, or drink grapefruit juice while taking SUTENT.

You may have side effects or reactions to SUTENT. For most patients, these are moderate and may be managed, though some can be serious. Your doctor may change your dose or stop your treatment. Some of the most common side effects include fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, upset stomach, abdominal pain, constipation, skin or hair changes, taste changes, swelling, loss of appetite, and bleeding, such as from the nose or cuts. Call your doctor if you have any swelling or bleeding. Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse about any new side effects you have, as well as any change or increase in any side effect.

Gleevec is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.

Pfizer is a licensee of the TRUSTe Privacy Program.

Please see full prescribing information.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

This product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.