Much of the research focus in palaeo‐oncology is dominated by malignant neoplasms, either primitive or metastatic, while benign tumours are seen as a neglected area of palaeopathological investigation, especially for the idea that they do not provide contribution to the knowledge of health conditions in past communities.1 This study pertains to a case of benign bone tumour diagnosed in a male individual aged 40-50 years and brought to light from the necropolis of Pontecagnano (southern Italy); the tomb (T. 4439) in which the osteological remains were found was located in “Sica de Conciilis” property. The skeleton laid supine in a travertine stone lined grave exhibiting a bronze belt and pottery as grave goods, which allowed archaeologists to define the precise chronology of the third quarter of the 4th century BC.2 Macroscopic and radiological assessment were performed, while histological analysis was avoided as a conservative approach. The metaphysis of the right tibia exhibited a large exophytic formation (c. 10x5 cm) characterised by normal trabecular bone tissue with cortical and medullary continuity. The differential diagnosis suggested a case of sessile osteochondroma, a benign bone tumour that develops during adolescence. Its large dimension could have caused both aesthetic concern and compression of adjacent neurovascular structures, with consequent pain and partial impingement; moreover, the presence of cavitations on the posterior surface of the mass was interpreted as evidence of a possible superinfection of the bone tissue. Slight osteoarthritic changes and medium enthesis development of this mature male seems to indicate a limited physical activity. Despite osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumours in current clinical medicine,3 their evidence in palaeopathology is not abundant; therefore, any report about new evidence of this benign neoplasm in ancient human remains is important in order to evaluate its presence in past times.
Solitary osteochondroma in palaeo-oncology: a case report from 4th century BC Pontecagnano (southern Italy)
Riccomi G.;Aringhieri G.;Giuffra V.
2022-01-01
Abstract
Much of the research focus in palaeo‐oncology is dominated by malignant neoplasms, either primitive or metastatic, while benign tumours are seen as a neglected area of palaeopathological investigation, especially for the idea that they do not provide contribution to the knowledge of health conditions in past communities.1 This study pertains to a case of benign bone tumour diagnosed in a male individual aged 40-50 years and brought to light from the necropolis of Pontecagnano (southern Italy); the tomb (T. 4439) in which the osteological remains were found was located in “Sica de Conciilis” property. The skeleton laid supine in a travertine stone lined grave exhibiting a bronze belt and pottery as grave goods, which allowed archaeologists to define the precise chronology of the third quarter of the 4th century BC.2 Macroscopic and radiological assessment were performed, while histological analysis was avoided as a conservative approach. The metaphysis of the right tibia exhibited a large exophytic formation (c. 10x5 cm) characterised by normal trabecular bone tissue with cortical and medullary continuity. The differential diagnosis suggested a case of sessile osteochondroma, a benign bone tumour that develops during adolescence. Its large dimension could have caused both aesthetic concern and compression of adjacent neurovascular structures, with consequent pain and partial impingement; moreover, the presence of cavitations on the posterior surface of the mass was interpreted as evidence of a possible superinfection of the bone tissue. Slight osteoarthritic changes and medium enthesis development of this mature male seems to indicate a limited physical activity. Despite osteochondromas are the most common benign bone tumours in current clinical medicine,3 their evidence in palaeopathology is not abundant; therefore, any report about new evidence of this benign neoplasm in ancient human remains is important in order to evaluate its presence in past times.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
