Osteogenic tumour in Australopithecus sediba: Earliest hominin evidence for neoplastic disease

Patrick S. Randolph-Quinney*, Scott A. Williams, Maryna Steyn, Marc R. Meyer, Jacqueline S. Smilg, Steven E. Churchill, Edward J. Odes, Tanya Augustine, Paul Tafforeau, Lee R. Berger

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We describe the earliest evidence for neoplastic disease in the hominin lineage. This is reported from the type specimen of the extinct hominin Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa, dated to 1.98 million years ago. The affected individual was male and developmentally equivalent to a human child of 12 to 13 years of age. A penetrating lytic lesion affected the sixth thoracic vertebra. The lesion was macroscopically evaluated and internally imaged through phase-contrast X-ray synchrotron microtomography. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was undertaken based on gross- and micro-morphology of the lesion, leading to a probable diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. These neoplasms are solitary, benign, osteoid and bone-forming tumours, formed from well-vascularised connective tissue within which there is active production of osteoid and woven bone. Tumours of any kind are rare in archaeological populations, and are all but unknown in the hominin record, highlighting the importance of this discovery. The presence of this disease at Malapa predates the earliest evidence of malignant neoplasia in the hominin fossil record by perhaps 200 000 years.

Original languageEnglish
Article number20150470
JournalSouth African Journal of Science
Volume112
Issue number7-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Malapa
  • Malignant
  • Neoplasia
  • Osteoma
  • Palaeopathology
  • Taphonomy

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