A Grandfather’s Journey: Overcoming Stage III Pancreatic Cancer
In May 2025, Hernando Salcedo, an active 83-year-old grandfather, was taken aback when he noticed his stomach swelling unexpectedly. Although he had been dealing with some hip pain, he attributed it to aging. The sudden swelling raised concerns, prompting a visit to his doctor.
Despite an endoscopic ultrasound, the root of his discomfort remained unknown. Following further evaluations, Hernando was sent to a gastroenterologist, who ordered an MRI. Just two days later, the devastating news was revealed: he had Stage III pancreatic cancer.
“It was very hard to hear,” Salcedo shared. The prognosis for those with this stage of cancer is generally bleak, with most patients surviving only a few months. The American Cancer Society notes that the five-year survival rate is only about 15%. Because of Hernando’s age, surgery wasn’t an option, leaving aggressive chemotherapy as his only treatment.
Starting chemotherapy at the Miami Cancer Institute in July 2025, Hernando quickly faced severe side effects. He struggled to eat and lost significant weight. His son, Mauricio, noticed a drastic change in his father’s lifestyle, recalling how Hernando, who used to walk several miles daily, was now nearly confined to the house.
“I’ve never seen my dad in bed like that, unable to get up,” Mauricio expressed.
The ongoing pain and side effects left Hernando feeling worse than he had prior to his diagnosis. Once he had been merely uncomfortable, but his new reality severely affected his daily life.
A New Chance
While enduring chemotherapy, Hernando’s situation was presented to an expert panel at the Miami Cancer Institute. These panels discuss potential innovative treatments, leading to new solutions for patients. Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a radiologist and oncologist, shared that Hernando was identified as a candidate for a clinical trial involving a novel chemotherapy delivery system from RenovoRX.
Traditional chemotherapy is often administered through veins, which can limit its effectiveness against tumors like those in pancreatic cancer. The RenovoCath system, cleared by the FDA in 2014, aims to improve this by delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor site while minimizing drug exposure to the rest of the body.
Previous studies indicated that this method resulted in significantly fewer side effects, with one trial showing a 65% reduction in adverse effects compared to standard treatments. Patients experienced a longer survival time, which gave hope to many.
When presented with the opportunity to join the trial, Hernando didn’t hesitate. “It was the easiest decision of my father’s cancer journey,” Mauricio recalled.
A Renewed Spirit
Participants in the trial first underwent standard chemotherapy for two months, followed by radiation and additional sessions. Thankfully, after initial treatments, scans revealed that Hernando’s cancer had not progressed, making him eligible for the RenovoCath delivery method.
Over the next four months, Hernando received chemotherapy every other week through this new system. “It was like night and day,” he remarked. Following each treatment, he felt fine, without nausea or pain. “This treatment fixed my life,” he said with relief.
The positive effects weren’t limited to Hernando. One patient Dr. Gandhi treated even survived four years post-diagnosis, a remarkable feat in the context of Stage III pancreatic cancer. Dr. Gandhi emphasized the goal: to extend life while maintaining quality. He confidently stated, “We have maintained his quality of life.”
Celebrating Life
One year after his diagnosis, Hernando has defied the odds. Doctors report that his cancer has remained stable since mid-April, with no metastasis to other organs. This additional time has allowed Hernando to engage in family milestones, including traveling to Colombia for his nephew’s wedding, where he joyfully danced the night away.
Mauricio believes that neither of them takes this time for granted. While they are aware of the challenges still ahead, Hernando has regained much of his vitality, returning to his regular walks and planning other trips.
“We don’t know how long he has, but he’s gaining weight, his energy is back, and he’s looking towards the future,” Mauricio said. “For an 83-year-old man, that feels like winning the lottery.”
