According to paleopathological literature, tumors have a great antiquity.
The
prevalence of tumor metastases in historical 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 two probable cases of skeletal metastatic carcinoma
from the Roman Period (1st
–
5
th century AD) in Hungary, showing the development of bony
metastasis of cancer without chemo
-
and radiotherapy. During the paleopathological analysis
macroscopic investigation, radiological, stereo
-
and scanning electron microscopic analyses were
applied.
In one case the mixed nature and the localization of the lesions, as well as the sex and age
of the individual suggest breast cancer for the primary focus. In the other case based on the mostly
osteoblastic nature and the localization of the lesions, more
over on the sex and age of the
individuals, the most probable diagnostic option is prostate carcinoma with skeletal metastases. In
view of the scarcity of cancer metastases, that have been diagnosed in archaeological specimens in
general, identification of
all examples of cancer in antiquity represents an important contribution
both to paleopathology and to modern medicine
