This study describes and discusses a rare case of metastatic carcinoma affecting the skeleton of an adult male recovered in the necropolis of Casal Bertone in Rome (Italy). The necropolis, dated back to the Imperial Age (1st-2nd centuries A.D.), is placed close to some residential structures and a large manufacture identified as a fullery (fullonica). The anthropological examination of 70 skeletal remains found in the necropolis has allowed to identify various alterations attributable to the work activities of the fullonica, such as traumas, osteoarthritis and enthesopathies, so that also the pathological individual is likely to have been a worker of the fullery. The complete skeleton was very well preserved and the anthropological and paleopathological studies were performed through a careful macroscopic, microscopic, radiological (X-ray and CT scan) and histological investigation. Bone alterations are represented by osteoclastic and osteoblastic lesions mainly involving the axial bones, in particular the sternum, ribs, spine, scapular and pelvic girdles. The anatomical distribution of the changes and the destructive and proliferative nature of the lesions suggest that the osseous changes were the result of metastases from a soft tissue primary cancer. The age and sex of the individual, as well as the radiographic and histological pictures, favour a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer with extensively diffused bone metastases. The aetiology of prostate carcinoma is not clear and it is not possible to verify whether the work activities in the fullery played a role in the onset of the disease, owing to the toxic chemical agents used in the treatment of clothes. At present, this is the only case of prostate cancer from the Imperial Age recovered in Rome.
Metastatic prostate carcinoma from Imperial Rome (1st-2nd century A.D.)
Minozzi S;Lunardini A;Caldarini C;Caramella D;Fornaciari G;Giuffra V
2018-01-01
Abstract
This study describes and discusses a rare case of metastatic carcinoma affecting the skeleton of an adult male recovered in the necropolis of Casal Bertone in Rome (Italy). The necropolis, dated back to the Imperial Age (1st-2nd centuries A.D.), is placed close to some residential structures and a large manufacture identified as a fullery (fullonica). The anthropological examination of 70 skeletal remains found in the necropolis has allowed to identify various alterations attributable to the work activities of the fullonica, such as traumas, osteoarthritis and enthesopathies, so that also the pathological individual is likely to have been a worker of the fullery. The complete skeleton was very well preserved and the anthropological and paleopathological studies were performed through a careful macroscopic, microscopic, radiological (X-ray and CT scan) and histological investigation. Bone alterations are represented by osteoclastic and osteoblastic lesions mainly involving the axial bones, in particular the sternum, ribs, spine, scapular and pelvic girdles. The anatomical distribution of the changes and the destructive and proliferative nature of the lesions suggest that the osseous changes were the result of metastases from a soft tissue primary cancer. The age and sex of the individual, as well as the radiographic and histological pictures, favour a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer with extensively diffused bone metastases. The aetiology of prostate carcinoma is not clear and it is not possible to verify whether the work activities in the fullery played a role in the onset of the disease, owing to the toxic chemical agents used in the treatment of clothes. At present, this is the only case of prostate cancer from the Imperial Age recovered in Rome.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
