Metastatic cancer in antiquity: Case study from 3rd-4th century Milan, Italy

IF 1.3 3区地球科学 Q3 PALEONTOLOGY

International Journal of Paleopathology Pub Date : 2025-05-31 DOI:10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.05.003

Lucie Biehler-Gomez , Carlotta Sala , Mirko Mattia , Marco Sannazaro , Cristina Cattaneo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate lesions noted on a 3rd-4th century individual and to contribute to our understanding of cancer in antiquity.

Materials

Skeletal remains of a single individual recovered from the "Necropolis of the Cattolica", Milan, Italy.

Methods

Macroscopic analysis, along with computed tomography and conventional radiography were employed to investigate lesions. Differential diagnosis was undertaken to assist with the diagnosis.

Results

The individual was a male aged 40–65 years with extensive skeletal fragmentation. Osteoblastic lesions with thick new bone deposits and spiculae were present on the scapulae, vertebrae, and ossa coxae. Radiological analysis revealed increased radiodensity with a cloud-like matrix.

Conclusions

Based on lesion distribution, morphology, and the individual’s biological profile, metastatic carcinoma is suggested to be the most plausible diagnosis.

Significance

This case contributes to the growing body of evidence for cancer in Roman Italy and highlights the role of paleo-oncological studies in reconstructing health patterns in past populations.

Limitations

The fragmented nature of the skeleton limited the extent of lesion analysis.

Further research

Expanding the dataset of ancient neoplastic cases will improve our understanding of cancer prevalence and evolution in past populations.

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古代的转移性癌症：3 -4世纪意大利米兰的案例研究

目的评价3 -4世纪个体的病变，有助于我们对古代癌症的理解。材料从意大利米兰的“卡托利卡墓地”中发现的单个人的骨骼残骸。方法采用显微分析、计算机断层扫描和常规x线摄影检查病变。进行鉴别诊断以协助诊断。结果患者为男性，年龄40 ~ 65岁，伴有大面积骨裂。在肩胛骨、椎骨和髋骨上可见成骨细胞病变，伴有厚的新骨沉积和针状体。放射学分析显示放射密度增加，呈云状基质。结论根据病变的分布、形态和个体的生物学特征，转移性癌是最可信的诊断。本病例为罗马时期意大利的癌症提供了越来越多的证据，并突出了古肿瘤学研究在重建过去人群健康模式中的作用。局限性：骨骼的碎片性限制了病变分析的范围。进一步的研究扩大古代肿瘤病例的数据集将提高我们对过去人群中癌症流行和进化的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Paleopathology PALEONTOLOGY-PATHOLOGY

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

25.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Paleopathology is the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains. The International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) will publish original and significant articles on human and animal (including hominids) disease, based upon the study of physical remains, including osseous, dental, and preserved soft tissues at a range of methodological levels, from direct observation to molecular, chemical, histological and radiographic analysis. Discussion of ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health, disease and life histories in the past is central to the discipline, so the journal would also encourage papers covering interpretive and theoretical issues, and those that place the study of disease at the centre of a bioarchaeological or biocultural approach. Papers dealing with historical evidence relating to disease in the past (rather than history of medicine) will also be published. The journal will also accept significant studies that applied previously developed techniques to new materials, setting the research in the context of current debates on past human and animal health.