Official SUTENT® site—Caring for someone with GIST

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Dealing with GIST can be tough. But you don’t have to do it alone. Family, friends, and health care providers all can get involved. This support can help you and your loved one get through this difficult time.

Caring for someone with GIST goes beyond treating the cancer. The entire person needs care and attention. The tips below can help you with some of the challenges that may arise.

Help your loved one maintain a healthy diet

Cancer treatments may take away your loved one’s appetite. But good nutrition is important. It can help keep strength and energy up during treatment.

The doctor or dietitian can give you helpful advice. They may suggest foods rich in nutrients. They can also tell you which foods may help manage side effects
As much as possible, prepare the healthy meals your loved one likes best

Help your loved one be as active as possible

Find out from the doctor or nurse what kind of activity is right for your loved one
Do moderate exercise together. This may help lift spirits and keep the body fit
If your loved one needs help staying active, talk to the doctor or nurse. They may suggest a mobility aid, such as a cane or walker

Pay attention to difficult emotions

Dealing with cancer can bring up feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. It’s normal to feel that way. But you can get help.

Talk to the doctor or nurse about how you and your loved one are feeling. It may also help to talk to a counselor who works with cancer patients and their families
Let your loved one know that you’re there to listen

Tips for managing side effects

Ask the doctor or nurse about managing side effects. They may prescribe helpful medicines. They can also suggest things you can do to help your loved one
Keep track of side effects that occur. That may help the doctor or nurse find the right solutions

View tips for managing possible side effects.

Get help from others

Family and friends can help a loved one who has GIST. They can:
- Go along on doctor visits
- Take care of chores
- Have a cup of tea together
- Share some laughs
It can also help to join a support group. There, you may meet other people who are caring for a loved one with cancer. You may also want to encourage your loved one to join a support group. They can be a great source of inspiration and encouragement

See the next section for links to support groups and other helpful Web sites.

NEXT: Build a task list

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.

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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.