Abstract
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 specimens. Such tumours are not related to lifestyle and often occur in younger individuals. As such, malignancy has a considerable antiquity in the fossil record, as evidenced by this specimen.
Highlights
The reported incidence of neoplastic disease in the extinct human lineage is rare
It is possible that cases of malignancy might remain unknown in fossil assemblages awaiting imaging and discovery. This case highlights a significant issue with regard to modern clinical incidence and expression of neoplastic disease, and malignancy in particular
How can we understand ancient disease evolution when sample sizes are extremely small? As noted above[7,8,9], malignancy is perceived as a disease of modernity
Summary
AFFILIATIONS: 1School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 2Evolutionary Studies Institute, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 3De Busk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee, USA 4School of Radiation Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 5Department of Radiology, Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa 6DST/NRF South African Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 7Radiography/Tomography Section, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), Pelindaba, South Africa 8Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Davie, Florida, USA *Current address: School of Forensic and Applied Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom. HOW TO CITE: Odes EJ, Randolph-Quinney PS, Steyn M, Throckmorton Z, Smilg JS, Zipfel B, et al Earliest hominin cancer: 1.7-million-yearold osteosarcoma from Swartkrans Cave, South Africa. Earliest hominin cancer: 1.7-million-yearold osteosarcoma from Swartkrans Cave, 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 specimens. Such tumours are not related to lifestyle and often occur in younger individuals. Malignancy has a considerable antiquity in the fossil record, as evidenced by this specimen
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