Skeletal Metastatic Carcinomas from the Roman Period (1st to 5th Century AD) in Hungary

Abstract

Objectives: According to paleopathological records, tumors have a great antiquity. The prevalence of cancer in ancient populations might have differed from that in modern humans because of substantial differences in environmental factors, life expectancy and the availability of treatment. This study presents 3 cases of probable skeletal metastatic carcinoma from the Roman period (1st-5th century AD) in Hungary, showing the development of bone metastases of cancer without chemo- and radiotherapy. Methods: All skeletons were subjected to a careful macroscopic investigation, which was extended by radiological, stereo- and scanning electron microscopic analyses. Results: In 1 case, the mixed nature and localization of the lesions, as well as the sex and age of the individual, suggested breast cancer as the primary focus. In the other 2 cases, based on the mostly osteoblastic nature and the localization of the lesions as well as on the sex and age of the individuals, the most probable diagnostic option is prostate carcinoma with skeletal metastases. Conclusions: In view of the scarcity of cancer metastases that have been diagnosed in archeological specimens in general, identification of all examples of cancer in antiquity represents an important contribution both to paleopathology and to modern medicine.

A Significant Question in Cancer Risk and Therapy: Are Antibiotics Positive or Negative Effectors? Current Answers and Possible Alternatives

“…There are a number of converging associations between prokaryotic microorganisms, particularly bacteria, and the incidence of cancer in the animal kingdom, including humans [69,70]. Similar to the case of infectious diseases, written records from different cultures [71][72][73][74] and paleo-oncology/pathology data [75][76][77][78] clearly show that cancer is indeed an ancient disease ( Table 2). In fact, the earliest hominid cancer described to date corresponds to a 1.7 million-year-old osteosarcoma case characterized in South Africa [79].…”

Római kori fibulák az Aquincum/Budapest-Graphisoft Park területén végzett feltárások anyagából

“…1-2. század fordulóján, a 2. század elején keletkezhetett. 158 A csuklós szerkezetű T-fibulák (Kat. 17-20, 4. kép) Kr.…”

Introductory Chapter: Having a Brain is Not Necessary to Get Cancer… but Indispensable to Fight It

“…Apart from the abovementioned cases, multiple myeloma dated to 4000 BC (Mauer, Austria), nasopharyngeal, 3000 BC (Giza, Egypt), and 2300-1800 BC (Naga-ed-Deir, Egypt), metastatic carcinomas, 2200-800 BC (Czech Republic) and 1500 BC (Russia), tumor in pelvic bone in mummy, 2000 BC (Alexandria, Egypt) have been discovered. Newer evidences of fossils with metastasis are dated to the first century AD, Italy [10], Hungary [11], medieval times Switzerland [12], Hungary [13], Denmark [14], England [15][16][17], and Persia and Peruvian Incas in pre-Columbian America (around 1400 AD) [18]. Clearly, the majority of evidence comes from Europe and Egypt, which results from extensive excavation works and excellent preservation of mummified and skeletal human remains, but individual cases originated from Australia, North and South America are also known.…”