“They cover all the bases”: Joe Castiglione’s cancer journey
For decades, Joe Castiglione was known as one of the most familiar voices in Boston sports, calling Boston Red Sox games and representing the sound of summer for generations of fans. After retiring from broadcasting in 2024, he expected more time for the people and activities he loves — golf, bike rides, hosting visitors at his home in Fort Myers, Florida, and watching sunsets on Sanibel Island.
Then he noticed a lump in his right thigh. At first, he thought it might be a pulled muscle. But when it continued to expand and the discomfort increased, he went to his primary care provider. An MRI pointed to two possibilities: a blood clot or a tumor. Soon after, Joe was referred to Kevin Raskin, MD, an orthopedic oncology surgeon with Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute.
Joe was diagnosed with a rare liposarcoma in his right thigh. His treatment would be extensive: 25 radiation treatments, followed by a surgery that extended from the top of his knee to his hip, then eight additional rounds of radiation before shifting to a physical therapy program with Spaulding Rehabilitation.
Through it all, Joe says what stood out most was the way his care teams worked together. Raskin, along with medical oncologist Gregory Cote, MD, PhD, and radiation oncologist Kevin Liu, MD, DPhil, came together to review his scans with him, helping him understand each step of treatment and what would come next. While his providers came from different specialty areas across Mass General Brigham, Joe felt supported by coordinated, individualized care.
“They cover all the bases,” Joe says.
That coordination continued when Joe began physical therapy with Stephanie Pijanowski, PT, MSPT, CSRS, at Spaulding Rehabilitation. He had worked with Pijanowski before for balance concerns, so seeing her again during this recovery was reassuring. He already knew how attentive and effective she was — and now he needed her expertise more than ever.
Joe Castiglione and his physical therapist, Stephanie Pijanowski, PT, MSPT, CSRS
Joe Castiglione and his physical therapist, Stephanie Pijanowski, PT, MSPT, CSRS
Joe began rehabilitation using a walker. The goals were clear, but not easy: rebuild strength and balance, move from walker to cane, walk more freely, and eventually return to the activities that made life feel like his own again. Pijanowski planned each visit carefully, provided exercises for him to do at home, and gave him her full attention throughout the process.
“She had a game plan right from the start,” Joe says.
For Pijanowski, who knew Joe’s baseline from their previous work together, the first priority was helping him regain safe, confident movement. One early milestone was especially meaningful: building enough strength and balance so Joe could walk up the stairs at his son’s house for Thanksgiving.
“Rehabilitation can take a long time, but we stick with it,” Pijanowski says. “The best part is when someone comes in and says they were able to do something they couldn’t before.”
It’s been a journey, but Joe’s scans are now clean and he’s back to many of his favorite pastimes. He has been able to return to golf, ride a recumbent bike, enjoy activities in New England and Florida with friends and family — and even announce a few Red Sox games.
Looking back on a journey that began with uncertainty and took many stages, Joe is grateful for his experience with Mass General Brigham. “You get top-notch care,” Joe says. “It’s individualized. The coordination is great, and the rehab is outstanding.”
And each step of the way, his team focused on helping Joe return to what mattered most.