Introduction: The effectiveness of nivolumab plus ipilimumab for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus remains unclear.
Case presentation: A 75-year-old male was diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus and treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. The renal mass and thrombus regressed and all pulmonary nodules except for one lesion diminished. To avoid thrombotic complications, radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were performed. No viable malignant cells were revealed histopathologically. Although nivolumab was continued after the surgical interventions, the remaining lesion did not change. Considering the discontinuation of nivolumab, metastasectomy was performed, and no viable malignant cells were revealed histopathologically. There has been no recurrence after the discontinuation.
Conclusion: Nivolumab plus ipilimumab could have effectiveness for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.
Keywords: inferior vena cava tumor thrombus; metastatic renal cell carcinoma; nivolumab plus ipilimumab.
© 2022 The Authors. IJU Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Urological Association.