Skeletal metastatic carcinomas from the Roman period (1st to 5th Century AD) in Hungary.

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.

[Obesity in sculptures of the paleolithic era]. / Az elhízás és ábrázolása az ôskôkorban.

In this paper I present 100 neolithic figurines (97 female and 3 male) made of ivory, mammuth bone, limestone and other substances. The sculptures were found on the Eurasian continent, from the Pirenees to Lake Baikal and the river Amur. More than half (57.3%) of the idols show various types of female obesity. However, they are named ironically "Venus"-es. The figurines are described and speculation underlying the reason for such depictions and their uses are presented.

Fragile external phenotype of modern human proximal femur in comparison with medieval bone.

UNLABELLED: Proximal femur macroanatomy of 118 medieval and 67 contemporary adults, 84 contemporary elderly, and 48 contemporary hip fracture cases was evaluated. Within approximately 1000 years, the femoral neck axis has become longer, and its cross-section has become proportionally smaller and more oval in shape. These changes in the present external phenotype alone account for approximately 50% higher fall-induced stress compared with the medieval situation. INTRODUCTION: Bones, as whole skeletal structures, adapt to mechanical stresses they customarily experience. Because the present, mechanized lifestyle apparently deprives our skeletons of vigorous, habitual physical exertion, we studied whether the proximal femur phenotype has evolved vulnerable to fragility fractures by time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proximal femur macroanatomy of 118 medieval and 67 contemporary adults, 84 contemporary elderly, and 48 contemporary hip fracture cases was evaluated. Using direct measurements of external bone dimensions and geometric properties, we estimated the fall-induced stress as an index of hip fragility. RESULTS: Within approximately 1000 years, the femoral axis length has become substantially longer (analysis of covariance, body height adjusted, p < 0.001), whereas the neck circumference has not increased. The macroanatomy was found similar between the contemporary adult and elderly groups. In hip fracture cases, however, the femoral axis length was further lengthened (p < 0.001), but the circumference was somewhat smaller (p = 0.001). Consequently, the estimated fall-induced stress can be approximately 1.5-fold today compared with the medieval times (p < 0.001), and the secular trend seemed to be worse in women (sex-time interaction, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The modern, relatively slender phenotype of the proximal femur alone seems to increase the fall-induced stress considerably, and when this phenotype coincides the osteoporotic, internally deteriorated femoral neck structure, fracture risk is imminent. This mechanically compromised external phenotype underscores the importance of timely strengthening of the skeleton and its regular maintenance throughout life.

[Cripples at the medieval hospital of Bátmonostor, Hungary--archeological findings]. / Egy magyarországi közepkori ispotály (Bátmonostor) beteganyaga az ásatási leletek tükrében.

Cripples from the medieval hospital of Bátmonostor, Hungary. People with disabilities were generally burdened with a painful fate in ancient times, however in the hospitals was no effective therapy. The hospital of Batmonostor was founded at late 13th century, The authors examine by morphological, radiological and histological methods 426 complete skeletons excavated from medieval (14th-15th century) cemetery of Bátmonostor (Hungary). Among them 30 cases (7.1%) of bony ankylosis, (24 cases on lower limb and 6 cases on upper limb) was found. Sacroiliac ankylosis 3 cases, Bechterew's spondylitis ankylopoetica 1 case was seen. Spondylitis tuberculosa and malum Potti 4 cases, and hunchback with other aetiology 2 cases was detected. Beside the cases with ankylosis severe posttraumatic osteomyelitis (7 cases), primary malignant bone tumors (2 cases) and an osteoplastic metastatic tumors (probably prostata carcinoma) was diagnosed. Paleopathologic study of the physically disabled may yield information and insight on the prevalence of crippling disorders. The authors hypothetize, that crippled persons lived in the hospital until their deaths.