A recent case at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute involved the use of proton radiation therapy to target a rare tumor found close to a patient’s heart, according to an April 3 announcement.
The discovery was unexpected for Jim DiCostanzo, who underwent a CT scan intended to check for plaque buildup in his arteries but instead revealed a five-centimeter mass behind his sternum. This area is where the thymus gland had been before it typically shrinks and becomes fatty tissue with age. The thymus plays an important role early in life by producing white blood cells as part of the immune system.
“I went into it hoping to avoid taking a statin and came out with a cancer diagnosis,” said DiCostanzo, who is from Pittsburgh.
Jeremy Brownstein, MD, is the radiation oncologist overseeing DiCostanzo’s care at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Brownstein also serves as an associate clinical professor of Radiation Oncology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Ohio State Health and Discovery addresses societal issues such as health equity and substance use in order to promote inclusive well-being, according to the official website. The organization includes hospitals and outpatient facilities as part of its academic medical center according to its official website.
The institution seeks to advance health both within Ohio and worldwide through innovations in research, education, patient care, and community involvement according to its official website. Efforts are extended across Ohio and globally as stated on its official website.
Ohio State Health and Discovery provides resources on topics such as wellness, research advances, and community health initiatives according to its official site. Its primary focus areas include health care delivery, research activities, and educational programs according to the organization’s official information.
