What treatment options did others choose for stage I kidney cancer?

Thank you for starting this conversation. Choosing among options for stage I kidney cancer, such as active surveillance, surgery, ablation, or SBRT, can feel like a lot, and many people in the Renal Cell (Kidney) Cancer community find it helpful to hear how others weighed their choices. Members who have faced this decision may share what they were offered and what the process was like. A good starting point is writing down questions about tumor size, kidney function, and follow-up plans to bring to a care team, who can explain which options fit your situation.

Donna I was diagnosed with stage iv ccRCC in April of this year, with a 7cm tumor on my right kidney, along with metastasis in adjacent lymph nodes and one by my trachea. In May I began dual immunotherapy with Nivo-Ipi, four cycles. I am now on just Nivo for the foreseeable future (at least a year per oncologist). It is a wait-and-see on what happens with my kidney. Whether it will be left intact, or a partial/full nephrectomy will be performed. I recently had updated scans performed and received very positive news. Tumor has reduced by 53% by volume, and lymph nodes would now be considered unremarkable! Knock on wood, so far so good! So far, all things considered I've had fairly mild side-effects to the treatment. Mostly rash and itching. Of course some fatigue, especially immediately following treatment. I did have to briefly pause treatment for the rash while I was given higher dose steroids. That's where I am currently six months in. Not sure if that helps you at all, but thought I'd share a so far positive, recent story.