Metastatic carcinoma: palaeopathology and differential diagnosis

Marks, Murray K.; Hamilton, Michelle D.

doi:10.1002/oa.874

Cited by 40 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In this condition, both tables of bone are diminished with a (most often) nonreactive, crenellated border. The lesion on this individual exhibits more regular borders and is singular, whereas metastatic cancer usually manifests as several lesions in a localised area (Ortner, ; Marks & Hamilton, ). Some remodelling of these lesions can occur depending on the length of time an individual survives (Ortner, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Like You Need a Hole in the Head: Tool Innovation a Possible Cause of Trephination. A Case from Kerma, Nubia

Martin

2011

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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This paper presents one case from Kerma (ind-14.1.595 or K317) which was initially reported to have a 'fatal traumatic wound' in the front of the skull. The individual has a dime sized, circular hole with no radiating or concentric fracture lines associated with it. It also shows clear evidence of healing along the inside edges of the pathology. This was according to the preliminary, and only, analysis performed when excavated at Kerma (1913Kerma ( -1916, which was most likely performed by a crew member not formerly trained in anthropology, or medical science. Differential diagnosis will be discussed with respect to this lesion actually being a form of traumatic injury, possible remnants of a bony tumour, and trephination, among other diagnoses. Trephination has been identified in ancient Egypt and Nubian studies, though it is a rarity. Although trephination is a possible cause for the present lesion, this example does not fit the morphology of any other examples of the practise from this region or time period. Given that there have been similar borings witnessed on architecture from the Egyptian Old Kingdom, this lesion may suggest implementation of an already present architectural tool for medical purposes among the Kerma Nubians.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Like You Need a Hole in the Head: Tool Innovation a Possible Cause of Trephination. A Case from Kerma, Nubia

Martin

2011

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…These are often accompanied by osteolytic processes starting in the diploe and ultimately leading to a perforation of the skull bone. Both osteoblastic and osteolytic processes are sometimes observed (Binder, Roberts, Spencer, Antoine, & Cartwright, ; Marks & Hamilton, ). Irregular edges with a moth‐eaten appearance can be identified and are of diagnostic importance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A possible case of symbolic trepanation in Neolithic Central Germany

Nicklisch

Dresely²,

Orschiedt

et al. 2018

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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Manipulations on prehistoric skulls such as trepanations are among the most fascinating palaeopathological findings though it is not always easy to make a firm diagnosis. This case study presents a lesion on the cranial vault of a Late Neolithic burial in Central Germany. The defect forms an almost lanceolate lesion along the sagittal suture, which had not penetrated the cranial vault. Similar lesions have been found in other areas of Germany and in the Balkans, where they have been interpreted as aborted, incomplete, or symbolic trepanations. This study explores potential causes for the unusual lesion and outlines possible therapeutic reasons for the manipulation of the skull. Comparison with similar cases also raises the question of a symbolic or ritual context. Thus, the study supports the hypothesis of symbolic surgical head manipulation in the European Neolithic.

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“…The mixed nature of the detected lesions excludes diseases causing purely or mainly lytic bony alterations, such as multiple myeloma, histiocytosis X, or lytic types of secondary tumors [15,43,46]. Consideration should be given to a wide range of bone conditions which may result in bony deposits and overall increase in bone quantity, such as osteopetrosis, sclerosteosis, endosteal hyperostosis, pachydermoperiostosis, osteopoikilosis, melorheostosis, osteomesopyknosis, myelofibrosis, tuberous sclerosis, hypervitaminosis A, fluorosis and hypoparathyroidism [14,47].…”

Section: Differential Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Merczi¹,

Marcsik

Józsa

et al. 2014

Pathobiology

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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.

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Metastatic carcinoma: palaeopathology and differential diagnosis

Cited by 40 publications

References 43 publications

Like You Need a Hole in the Head: Tool Innovation a Possible Cause of Trephination. A Case from Kerma, Nubia

Like You Need a Hole in the Head: Tool Innovation a Possible Cause of Trephination. A Case from Kerma, Nubia

A possible case of symbolic trepanation in Neolithic Central Germany

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

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