Missing Links: Traces of Cancer in the Dark Age and a 240-Million-Year-Old Tumor
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Day 4 (History of Cancer in 365 Days Series)
Missing Links: Traces of Cancer in the “Dark Age” (Turtles, Dog Ancestors and Hominins)
In the early installments of our cancer history series, we discussed a dinosaur from 76 million years ago and a human ancestor from 1.7 million years ago . But what about the enormous interval between them? Or even before the dinosaurs?
Most people think cancer’s history has gaps, but the fossil record offers a “continuous history of disease.” Today, we bring cancer cases in the “Missing Links” to light, from the depths of oceans to the darkness of caves. This journey from turtle ancestors to the dog’s ancestor and Neanderthals demonstrates the universality of the disease once again.
240 Million Years Ago: The Pain of a Shell-Less Turtle
Even going back before dinosaurs to the dawn of the Triassic, traces of cancer remain. A 240-million-year-old fossil found in Germany entered the record as the oldest known cancer case in amniotes—the group encompassing reptiles, birds and mammals.
This animal was the “shell-less” ancestor of modern turtles, not yet having developed a shell. Examination of its thigh bone (femur) revealed a rapidly growing malignant bone tumor structurally identical to the Periosteal Osteosarcoma seen in humans today. Cancer was already there before dinosaurs even appeared on the scene.
30 Million Years Ago: The First Evidence of Genetic Predisposition (Hesperocyon)
Mammals rose after dinosaurs became extinct. An intriguing finding was noticed in fossils of Hesperocyon , a primitive dog-like species that lived in North America.
- Finding: Benign bone tumors called “multiple osteochondromas” were found in 61% of the fossils.
- Meaning: Such a high rate indicates that these tumors were not random, but probably resulted from a genetic predisposition . This is among the earliest fossil evidence for the “familial” and “genetic” nature of cancer and tumors.
A Scientific Drama: The Kanam Mandible (1.5 Million Years)
The history of cancer in the human lineage has been shaped not only by bones, but also by scientists’ prejudices. In 1932, the famous paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey found a jawbone in Kenya. It had an unusual swelling.
At the time, the scientific community greeted Leakey’s discovery with skepticism and shelved this pathological (diseased) bone as an “error” or “unidentifiable.” The episode even damaged Leakey’s reputation. Years later, however, modern technological analyses vindicated him, but in a different way:
- The swelling in the jaw was probably not a fracture, but Burkitt Lymphoma or an Osteosarcoma lesion.
- This case demonstrated that cancer had affected not only bones, but also soft tissues and the lymphatic system for millions of years, and that human ancestors had struggled with these painful diseases.
Prehistoric Hospital Records: Neanderthals and Others
In the period we call the “Dark Age,” signs of cancer actually come from across the world:
1.98 Million Years Ago: Karabo
In the South African fossil of Australopithecus sediba (Karabo), a benign bone tumor (osteoid osteoma) was found in the spine. This individual was only 12-13 years old. Cancer did not spare children either.
120,000 Years Ago: A Neanderthal
“Fibrous dysplasia” (a benign bone tumor) was identified in a Neanderthal rib found in Croatia’s Krapina cave. Our cousins suffered the same pain as we do.
- Schoch RR, et al. Osteosarcoma in a Triassic turtle ancestor. JAMA Oncology. 2019.
- Stanyon R, et al. The Kanam Mandible: A tumor not a Taxon. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 1993.
- Monier-Williams M, et al. Fibrous Dysplasia in a Neanderthal. PLoS One. 2013.
- Ancient Diseases in Vertebrates: Tumours through the Ages. PMC - PubMed Central. 2026.
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