@article {FAUSKE955, author = {LENA FAUSKE and PERNILLE H. W{\AE}RSTAD and IVAR HOMPLAND and {\O}YVIND S. BRULAND}, title = {Hope as a Lifeline: Imatinib Discontinuation in Patients With Oligometastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours}, volume = {42}, number = {2}, pages = {955--963}, year = {2022}, doi = {10.21873/anticanres.15555}, publisher = {International Institute of Anticancer Research}, abstract = {Background/Aim: This study explored how highly selected oligometastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) patients subjectively experienced the discontinuation of imatinib (IM) treatment. Patients and Methods: Being an exploratory qualitative study, we applied a phenomenological and hermeneutical approach. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine oligometastatic GIST patients who were in long-term clinical remission. The gathered data were interpreted using a thematic analysis. Results: The analysis of the interview data revealed four main themes; getting one{\textquoteright}s life back, fear of recurrence, hope as a lifeline and the pros/cons of participating in this clinical trial. The participants disclosed that hope of being cancer free and without the side-effects of IM was essential for both participating in this study and enduring the uncertainty of drug discontinuation. Conclusion: Use of a qualitative approach in clinical trials can result in a better understanding of patients{\textquoteright} perspectives and therefore lead to improved clinical practice.}, issn = {0250-7005}, URL = {https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/42/2/955}, eprint = {https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/42/2/955.full.pdf}, journal = {Anticancer Research} }