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We describe the earliest evidence for neoplastic disease in the hominin lineage. This is reported from the type specimen of the extinct hominin Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa, dated to 1.98 million years ago. The affected individual was male and developmentally equivalent to a human child of 12 to 13 years of age. A penetrating lytic lesion affected the sixth thoracic vertebra. The lesion was macroscopically evaluated and internally imaged through phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was undertaken based on gross-and micro-morphology of the lesion, leading to a probable diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. These neoplasms are solitary, benign, osteoid and bone-forming tumours, formed from well-vascularised connective tissue within which there is active production of osteoid and woven bone. Tumours of any kind are rare in archaeological populations, and are all but unknown in the hominin record, highlighting the importance of this discovery. The presence of this disease at Malapa predates the earliest evidence of malignant neoplasia in the hominin fossil record by perhaps 200 000 years.

2016

The reported incidence of neoplasia in the extinct human lineage is rare, with only a few confirmed cases of Middle or Later Pleistocene dates reported. It has generally been assumed that pre-modern incidence of neoplastic disease of any kind is rare and limited to benign conditions, but new fossil evidence suggests otherwise. We here present the earliest identifiable case of malignant neoplastic disease from an early human ancestor dated to 1.8–1.6 million years old. The diagnosis has been made possible only by advances in 3D imaging methods as diagnostic aids. We present a case report based on re-analysis of a hominin metatarsal specimen (SK 7923) from the cave site of Swartkrans in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. The expression of malignant osteosarcoma in the Swartkrans specimen indicates that whilst the upsurge in malignancy incidence is correlated with modern lifestyles, there is no reason to suspect that primary bone tumours would have been any less frequent in ancient...

PLoS ONE, 2018

This paper presents the histological characterisation of a selection of worked bone artefacts from Middle Stone Age layers at Sibudu cave, South Africa. Histographic rendering is achieved using high-resolution Computed Tomography, which is non-destructive and facilitates three-dimensional histologic analysis. Excellent congruency in image quality was achieved with previous studies using this method. The results show that most of the artefact fragments contain mostly primary lamellar tissue, which is the bone tissue best adapted to withstand impact stresses. This indicates that bone with greater elastic properties was chosen. Histological characterisation allows the identification of animal taxa. Based on the sample analysed in this paper, Perissodactyla bone was used predominantly in the older layers at the site. Artiodactyla are represented throughout but appear far more frequently in the later (post-Howiesons Poort onwards) layers. Some of the Artiodactyla specimens have high proportions of Haversian tissue, reducing elasticity. The higher percentages of Haver-sian tissue in the post-Howiesons Poort artefacts relative to Holocene examples from southern Africa suggests that people may have started experimenting with bone from different animal taxa at this time and had not yet learned to eliminate the mechanically weaker secondary tissue. Apart from mechanical considerations, possible cultural constraints governing raw material selection is also explored.

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2009

This paper discusses the differential diagnosis of an unusual bone tumour observed in the right maxilla of one adult calvarium, from the Late Neolithic collective burial of Lapa do Bugio (Sesimbra, Portugal). The differential diagnosis of the lesion gave rise to several possible pathological conditions, namely, ossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia, and focal cemento-osseous dysplasia. Despite the impossibility of performing histological analysis, various macroscopic and radiological aspects lead us to consider ossifying fibroma as the most probable diagnose. This appears to be the earliest reported case of this condition in the osteoarchaeological literature, and adds to the very few palaeopathological case descriptions available for ossifying fibroma. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

South African Journal of Science, 2016

We describe the earliest evidence for neoplastic disease in the hominin lineage. This is reported from the type specimen of the extinct hominin Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa, dated to 1.98 million years ago. The affected individual was male and developmentally equivalent to a human child of 12 to 13 years of age. A penetrating lytic lesion affected the sixth thoracic vertebra. The lesion was macroscopically evaluated and internally imaged through phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was undertaken based on gross- and micro-morphology of the lesion, leading to a probable diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. These neoplasms are solitary, benign, osteoid and bone-forming tumours, formed from well-vascularised connective tissue within which there is active production of osteoid and woven bone. Tumours of any kind are rare in archaeological populations, and are all but unknown in the hominin record, highlighting the importance of this discovery. The presence of this disease at Malapa predates the earliest evidence of malignant neoplasia in the hominin fossil record by perhaps 200 000 years.

International Journal of Paleopathology, Special Issue "Paleo-oncology: Taking Stock and Moving Forward", 2018

Unlike modern diagnosticians, a paleopathologist will likely have only skeletonized human remains without medical records, radiologic studies over time, microbiologic culture results, etc. Macroscopic and radiologic analyses are usually the most accessible diagnostic methods for the study of ancient skeletal remains. This paper recommends an organized approach to the study of dry bone specimens with reference to specimen radiographs. For circumscribed lesions, the distribution (solitary vs. multifocal), character of margins, details of periosteal reactions, and remnants of mineralized matrix should point to the mechanism(s) producing the bony changes. In turn, this allows selecting a likely category of disease (e.g. neoplastic) within which a differential diagnosis can be elaborated and from which a favored specific diagnosis can be chosen.

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2012

This report deals with the first benign intraosseous tumor of the maxillofacial skeleton ever documented in a species of the Homo genus, to our knowledge. The lower jaw, which belonged to a representative of Homo neanderthalensis, indicated that expansive processes with bone remodeling were already present in ancient times, showing no difference with similar disease patterns found daily in modern Homo sapiens.

Comptes Rendus Palevol

This article describes an osteolytic odontogenetic lesion found on the mandible of a Neanderthal from the Middle Paleolithic site of Riparo Mezzena near the city of Verona (Italy). A pathology was revealed through X-ray and computerized-tomodensitometric examinations. This lesion was compared to present and sub-contemporary populations and indicates that it may have been of infectious origin, resulting from a bacterial invasion of the root canal of a coronal pulp exposure. The bacterial contamination may have resulted either from a traumatic fracture, a cavity, or extensive wear on the tooth.

Memoirs of the Scientific Sections of the Romanian Academy, 2019

This study is focused on a case of mastoid osteoma, a benign tumor reported in a skeletal sample found at the "Adormirea Maicii Domnului" Roman Catholic Cathedral of Iași (Romania). The sample, containing 89 skeletons (children, adolescents, adults, mature and senile) originates from inhumation tombs and reburials, dating from the 15th–19th centuries. Bone benign tumors (osteomas) can be dangerous, as they may grow and compress the healthy tissues. Osteomas, quite rare in the temporal bone, could be caused by trauma, chronic infection, hormonal disfunctions, etc. The osteoma described in this paper was identified in the cranium of a mature male, in the mastoid area of the left temporal bone. Macroscopical examination, radiography and computed tomography (3D) were used to assess the cranium; the results show a homogeneous bone mass identified as an osteoma, a bone tumor type reported for archaeological samples.

The Lancet Oncology

PLOS ONE, 2015

In the South African context, computed tomography (CT) has been used applied to individually prepared fossils and small rocks containing fossils, but has not been utilized on large breccia blocks as a means of discovering fossils, and particularly fossil hominins. Previous attempts at CT imaging of rocks from other South African sites for this purpose yielded disappointing results. For this study, 109 fossil-bearing rocks from the site of Malapa, South Africa were scanned with medical CT prior to manual preparation. The resultant images were assessed for accuracy of fossil identification and characterization against the standard of manual preparation. The accurate identification of fossils, including those of early hominins, that were not visible on the surface of individual blocks, is shown to be possible. The discovery of unexpected fossils is reduced, thus lowering the potential that fossils could be damaged through accidental encounter during routine preparation, or even entirely missed. This study should significantly change the way fossil discovery, recovery and preparation is done in the South African context and has potential for application in other palaeontological situations. Medical CT imaging is shown to be reliable, readily available, cost effective and accurate in finding fossils within matrix conglomerates. Improvements in CT equipment and in CT image quality are such that medical CT is now a viable imaging modality for this palaeontological application.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

steochondroma or osteocartilaginous exostosis is one of the most common benign tumors of the bone. Causes for the disease are yet unknown, but there are indications that they may be linked to abnormality in the growth plate and possibly mutation in EXT1, EXT2 and EXT3 genes. Cases of reported osteochondromas range from prehistoric to contemporary examples, are not limited geographically, and no evidence for sex predominance has been reported. Here we present a unique case of large pedunculated-type osteochondroma on the right fibula of an adult female skeleton from the medieval site of Ilok-Krstbajer in eastern Croatia. In order to gain more insight into this pathological change we used holistic approach consisting of a combination of techniques that have not been used previously in the analysis of neoplasms from archaeological settings. The cauliflower-shaped growth is 50 mm long in sagittal and 57.41 mm in transverse diameter with the tumor exhibiting a bulbous, rough superior surface, and a flat, smoother inferior surface. The gross morphology of the tumor together with radiological and histopathological features support the diagnosis of a proximal fibular osteochondroma making it the first such case in an archaeological population. Based on archaeological context and similar clinical cases it seems that the presented osteochondroma did not have major impact on the life- quality of a woman affected by this pathology. The procedure used in this study is minimally invasive and highly accurate, and as such sets new analytical criteria for studies of ancient bone neoplasms

2017

A discrete dysplastic lesion of the mandible found in a skeleton of a young adult male of the Middle Bronze Age in the Northern Caucasus/Russia is described. The periapical lesion of the right lower canine alveolus was examined by digital microscopy, plain radiology, and plain and polarizing microscopy. Its macroscopic, radi-ologic and microscopic characteristics are discussed in reference to different fibro-osseous lesions arising from the odontogenic apparatus and maxillofacial skeleton. Periapical osseous dysplasia was considered to be the most likely diagnosis.

Journal of anthropological sciences = Rivista di antropologia : JASS, 2018

In the African Pleistocene, the fossil evidence for early Homo sapiens populations is still relatively limited. Here we present two additional specimens (two deciduous teeth) recovered from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) deposits of Sibudu Cave (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). We describe their morphology and metrics, using three-dimensional models of the teeth obtained from high-resolution micro-CT images. The first specimen is a Ldm₁ (HUM. TO 1) recovered in the BS5 layer dated 77.3±2.7 ka, and associated with stone tools assigned to the "pre-Still Bay" assemblage. The other specimen is a Rdi₁ (HUM. TO 2) coming from the Pinkish Grey Sand (PGS) layer, dated 64.7±2.3 ka, and associated with a Howieson's Poort industry. Both teeth are well preserved, with minor post mortem cracks not affecting the overall morphology, and they comprise the intact, worn crown and the remnants of the roots, naturally resorbed. A large carious lesion occupies most of the distal face and part of ...

Anthropological Review, 2016

In the study two human skulls recovered from archaeological excavations at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wrocław, dating from the 13-14th centuries were assessed. Direct measurements of each skull were recorded, and X-ray images in P-A, lateral and basal projections were taken. The skulls represented adult males. Large, bony, lobular tumours were found on the palatine bones of both skulls. X-ray examination identified these tumours as osteoid osteomas, which are benign bone tumours that may originate in the periosteum or may be located inside the bone, distorting the maxilla or mandible. However, osteoid osteoma of the palatine is very rare. This study extends our knowledge regarding the health and diseases of historical populations.

Pathobiology, 2012

Nevertheless, although cancer nowadays represents the first cause of death in people ! 85 years , its incidence in the past was certainly less high for two main reasons. Firstly, the average age at death in the pre-modern era was considerably lower than in the present; this fact implied that an individual generally died before reaching the 4th or 5th decade of life, when the probabilities of developing a cancer are highest. Secondly, several environmental factors, which nowadays play an important role in neoplastic transformation, such as pollution, cigarette smoke and some drugs, did not exist in the past. However, past populations were equally subjected to some carcinogenic factors, such as chemical substances present in nature, ultraviolet radiation and oncogenic viruses, for example .

Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Research, 2015

The objective of our study was to diagnose a case of non-malignant bone tissue malformation in an adult female, located in the midline of the mandibular body, as a part of skeletal material excavated from the Early Modern cemetery in Wrocław. The macroscopically identified tumour-like hyperplastic lesion was examined using radiographic imaging techniques but also analysed for histopathological features. We identified signs of periosteal reaction and irregular growth of bone tissue which macroscopically resembled a spongy structure. The recorded image shows an irregular hyperplasia of bone lamellae, formed on the inner side of the mandibular corpus, causing secondary changes in the normal structure of the compacted bone and partly in spongy bone. Both techniques confirmed that this condition is most characteristic of a neoplastic lesion, defined as osteoma spongiosum. Growing tumour finally caused a massive deformation of the alveolar part of the mandible. The immediate consequence of such overgrowth of bone tissue was probably the intravital loss of incisors and change of occlusion affecting periodontal health. Therefore it could have significantly deteriorated the quality of life of the studied individual. The identified mandibular osteoma spongiosum is the first case of this type reported for the historic area of Wrocław. We believe that information on neoplastic disorders of bone in archaeological skeletal materials, when properly diagnosed and described, may be an important contribution to epidemiological studies on neoplastic diseases among ancient and contemporary human populations.

Bollettino della Società Paleontologica Italiana

In recent years, the application of three dimensional tomographic images in vertebrate palaeontology has contributed to improving and greatly expanding the range of information derived from the study of fossilized bones. By using computed tomography (CT) scan and medical software it is possible to procure precise measurements, analyses of the internal structures and the material density gradient, carry out virtual restoration, with bones and teeth separated from lithological matrix, produce virtual casts of cavities (frontal sinuses, brains, inner ear) and hence provide greater definition in the search for diagnostic elements. It is therefore possible to obtain important information from the virtual models, that otherwise could not be acquired using conventional investigation techniques. Due to the versatility of these technologies, application of this kind of analysis is becoming crucial in many sectors of vertebrate palaeontology, especially in palaeoneurology, palaeopathology and in 3D reconstructions.