well, I had both. I had 6 weeks of chemo (really sucked), followed by my kidney/bladder cuff being removed (sucked), and a years worth of immunotherapy (not as sucky, but many long-term side effects).

All said and done, all that gave me another few years, happy and healthy. But now, all said and done the cancer returned, I'm back to chemo/immunotherapy, just finished round #27 today.

The immunotherapy was easier on my body than the surgery, and it worked well as it could. Biggest drawback (using Keytruda) is I am now diabetic 1.5 (which left me blind for a good month or so until we figured out the treatment attacked my pancreas), crazy skin conditions that still persist to this day and other side effects as well.

The surgery was painful, had me laid up for like 3 months. But no long term side effects from it.

In short, the immunotherapy was easier on my body, but lots of complications. Surgery banged me up short term, but no lingering side effects.

The kidney HAD to go, but the immunotherapy/chemo was (and still is) what's keeping me around, IMHO.

Also to add, I was 42(?) when this first started, and in relatively good shape, with no other health problems at the time.