Early evidence for cancer in Sudan: an advanced example of bone metastases from ancient Nubia (circa 2500–2050 BCE)

WHO reports that cancer is currently a leading cause of death worldwide. An increasing body of bioarchaeological research offers new insights into the past prevalence, epidemiology, and evolution of cancer. An archaeological example from the Northern Dongola Reach in Upper Nubia, Sudan, is presented in this Perspectives piece. In most ancient examples, only the skeleton remains, restricting the body of evidence to individuals with characteristic osseous changes. Such lesions can be primary (originating in the skeleton) or secondary (metastasising from bone or soft tissues). Each new archaeological case adds to this important body of evidence.