|
1
|
Rubini M, Gozzi A, Libianchi N, Dellù E, Spanò F, Di Biasi C, Pendenza M, Sala P, Filannino F, Zaio P. Metastatic cancer and endentulism: Exploring comorbidity to assist with differential diagnosis in a case from Vico nel Lazio (Fr, Italy), 13th-15th century CE. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2022; 38:1-12. [PMID: 35679660 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To differentially diagnose cranial lesions noted on a medieval skeleton and explore the importance of comorbidity. MATERIALS A skull of an adult female with osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions, edentulism, and an ectopic tooth from an ossuary of the Church of Santa Maria in Vico del Lazio, Frosinone Italy, dating to the Middle Ages. METHODS Macroscopic observations of the remains, CT scan, and differential diagnosis was undertaken. RESULTS A diagnosis of metastatic cancer (potentially breast cancer) or metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL) is offered. CONCLUSIONS Considering the noted comorbidities, this case might represent a rare case of metastatic neuroblastoma. SIGNIFICANCE The exploration of comorbidity, in this case the presence of metastatic carcinoma and edentulism, has tremendous potential to expand our knowledge about cancer in the past. LIMITATIONS Lack of postcranial elements. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Clinical and paleopathological investigation of comorbidity in modern and archeological populations to develop an evolutionary perspective on the presence of cancer in the past.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Rubini
- S.A.B.A.P.-LAZIO, Anthropological Service, Ministry of Culture, Via Pompeo Magno 2, 00189 Roma, Italy; Department of Archeology, University of Foggia, Via Antonio Gramsci, 89, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- S.A.B.A.P.-LAZIO, Anthropological Service, Ministry of Culture, Via Pompeo Magno 2, 00189 Roma, Italy
| | - Nunzia Libianchi
- S.A.B.A.P.-LAZIO, Anthropological Service, Ministry of Culture, Via Pompeo Magno 2, 00189 Roma, Italy
| | - Elena Dellù
- S.A.B.A.P.- BA, Physical Anthropology Service, Via Pier l'Eremita 25/B, 70122 Bari, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Spanò
- Emergency Diagnostics, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Di Biasi
- Emergency Diagnostics, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Pendenza
- Techniques of Medical Radiology, Imaging and Radiotherapy, Sapienza Università di Roma, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Sala
- Techniques of Medical Radiology, Imaging and Radiotherapy, Sapienza Università di Roma, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Floriana Filannino
- Techniques of Medical Radiology, Imaging and Radiotherapy, Sapienza Università di Roma, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico, 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Zaio
- S.A.B.A.P.-LAZIO, Anthropological Service, Ministry of Culture, Via Pompeo Magno 2, 00189 Roma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|