Son's decision about stage 2 kidney cancer treatment - should he have immunotherapy or go with the watch and wait?

My son has just had a kidney removed after a tumour was found by accident.  We were told that the cancer was in the kidney and once it was out would most probably be ok.  After he received his histology report he has stage 2 kidney cancer and they were going to watch & see with cts.  Today he has seen the Oncologist and been told that they would put him on Immunotherapy treatment but because he has type 2 diabetes which the therapy could cause him problems .  My son now has to make the decision to have the immunotherapy treatment or do nothing and just have regular scans

Has anybody else been in this predicament and if so how did you decide what to do?

  • Hello Lesleyruth

    I'm sorry to hear about your son's diagnosis and that following surgery he now has to make a decision about which treatment route he chooses. Understandably this is a worrying time for you both and I'm sure that whatever decision he makes, you both want to be comfortable with it being the right choice for him. 

    I know that we've had other members post previously on the forum who have found themselves in similar circumstances where they've needed to make a choice about treatment options. Hopefully, some of them will post to share their experiences with you. It can certainly help to write down a list of all the questions that he may have about both options and to write down a pros and cons list for each choice as well. 

    Do encourage him to talk with his cancer nurse specialist about any concerns he has as they will be best placed to offer some insight and hopefully help with some answers. If either of you would like to talk things through with one of our nurses for some advice and support you're welcome to give them a call. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that whatever decision your son makes things progress well for him. 

    Sending you both my best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator