Sunitinib for an 85 year old - advice needed for my mum.

  • 2 replies
  • 45 subscribers
  • 453 views

My mum was diagnosed with kidney cancer 10 years ago. It returned in the lung about 4 years ago, she had surgery to remove it and then it returned again a couple of years ago. It's been v stable until now and in the last 3 months, 4 new tumours have appeared in the lungs. She's been advised to go on Sunitinib but as a family we don't know what she should do and nor does she. I guess she faces letting it take hold or go on this drug that might just make her feel horrific. She always said she'd never take it, but now faced with this prognosis, is questioning it as of course wants to live longer. She's not that strong physically. I wonder if anyone has had any experience with taking this drug at this age. Thanks for any support. 

  • You can always try it for a bit and reduce the dose or stop if she doesn't tolerate it well.  

    drug that might just make her feel horrific.

    What makes you say this?  Have you read the patient info sheet or was it described to you like this?  The drug companies have to tell you about all the possible side effects, and it can be very worrying reading them all.  But no-one gets all the side effects, perhaps one or two and they can be quite mild.  Immunotherapy is generally better tolerated than chemotherapy.  

  • Yes she is going to try it and see if she can tolerate it. She hasn't got much choice as life expectancy is so short, but she doesn't want to ruin the time she has left.... the drug will likely give her mother 6 months her consultant has said...