At seventy-six years old, Dr. Luis Soruco woke up one morning and noticed blood in his urine. As an endocrinologist, he recognized the seriousness of that sign. With no symptoms of infection or kidney stones, he and his wife went straight to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

A CT scan revealed what he feared most — a large mass on his left kidney, consistent with kidney carcinoma. Further tests confirmed the diagnosis, and surgery was scheduled within days. His sons and their families came to be by his side, offering strength and comfort as he faced the unknown.

The Power of Connections and Expertise

Dr. Soruco’s son Andrés reached out to a close friend, Dr. Ja Hong Kim, a urologist at UCLA. She quickly connected the family with Dr. Christopher Weight at the Cleveland Clinic, a renowned specialist in kidney cancer surgery. Within days, Dr. Soruco was on his way to Cleveland, where Dr. Weight and his team welcomed him with compassion and confidence.

“The surgery was very successful and my recovery went well,” he recalls. “Dr. Weight was optimistic, and the nurses and staff were exceptional.”

Once home in Chicago, Dr. Soruco continued his care under Dr. Pfanzeller, an oncologist at Evanston Hospital, who prescribed a preventive course of immunotherapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Sixteen months later, all his tests remain clear, and he is grateful to share that he is cancer-free.

A Life Filled with Gratitude

Now retired, Dr. Soruco enjoys reading, collecting art, traveling, and most of all spending time with his four grandchildren. The experience has deepened his appreciation for each moment and for the people who guided him through his cancer journey.

“To Dr. Kim, Dr. Weight, and Dr. Pfanzeller, I owe my eternal gratitude,” he says. “Their expertise and kindness gave me the gift of more time — time with my family, my wife, and my grandchildren.”

Words of Wisdom

For those newly diagnosed, Dr. Soruco offers this heartfelt advice:

“If possible, seek care at a medical center with great experience and reputation in the treatment of kidney cancer — like the Cleveland Clinic. The right expertise truly matters.”