A historical and palaeopathological perspective on cancer.

Cancer is often wrongly considered to be a modern disease in many popular medical venues. Cancers have been known to humanity since ancient times. In fact, its antiquity can be identified through the application of palaeopathological methodologies. The present perspective demonstrates by means of a historical and palaeopathological analysis how oncological manifestations were present long before the emergence of anatomically modern humans and addresses the epidemiological transition from ancient times to the contemporary world. The final section of the article examines breast cancer and its identification in ancient human remains.

Population-based survival for cancer patients in Saudi Arabia for the years 2005-2009.

The Saudi Cancer Registry reported in 2007 the 5-year observed survival for the most common cancer sites for the years 1994-2004. In this report we looked at the cancer survival in the period 2005-2009 and evaluated the trend over the 15 years period from 1994 to 2009. Cases of the top 14 cancer sites reported by the population based Saudi Cancer Registry from 1 January 2005 to December 31, 2009, were submitted for survival analysis. The vital status of those patients was collected. Analysis of survival for the above period was compared with the prior reported 2 periods (1994-1999, 2000-2004). In addition, analysis was done according to age, sex, disease stage and the province. Data of 25,969 patients of the commonest cancer sites were submitted. Of those 14,146 patients (54%) had complete demographic data available and vital status was reported. Thyroid cancer had the highest 5- year observed survival of 94% (95% confidence interval (CI) 93-95%)), followed by Breast (72%, 95% CI 71-74%). In hematological malignancies, Hodgkin's Lymphoma had the highest 5-year survival of 86% (95% CI 84-88%). Survival rates has improved in most of the cancers sites for the studied periods except for lung, uterine and Hodgkin's lymphoma which plateaued. Our study confirms a steady improvement in the 5-year observed survival over time for the majority of cancers. Our survival data were comparable to western countries. This data should be used by policy makers to improve on cancer care in the kingdom.

Introducing new group leaders: Leanne Li.

Leanne Li tells us about the research in her recently established group at the Francis Crick Institute in London, her search for a multidisciplinary institute, and how her own varied background came together to study the emerging field of cancer neuroscience. She shares advice for applying, her experience of remote hiring, and how diversity, both academically and culturally, stimulates creativity.

Introducing new group leaders: Christina Towers.

Christina Towers discusses her search for a collaborative institute and why she chose the Salk, San Diego, to establish her lab studying autophagy in cancer. She shares her advice for applying, the importance of identifying what you want, tackling the perceived requirement for geographic mobility, and her hope to hire people who share her curiosity and love of asking questions.

The association of minerals intake in three meals with cancer and all-cause mortality: the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2014.

BACKGROUND: Intake time of diet has recently been demonstrated to be associated with the internal clock and circadian pattern. However, whether and how the intake time of minerals would influence the natural course of cancer was largely unknown. METHODS: This study aimed to assess the association of mineral intake at different periods with cancer and all-cause mortality. A total of 27,455 participants aged 18-85 years old in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were recruited. The main exposures were the mineral intakes in the morning, afternoon and evening, which were categorized into quintiles, respectively. The main outcomes were mortality of cancer and all causes. RESULTS: During the 178,182 person-years of follow-up, 2680 deaths, including 601 deaths due to cancer, were documented. After adjusting for potential confounders, compared to the participants who were in the lowest quintile(quintile-1) of mineral intakes at dinner, the participants in the highest quintile intake(quintile-5) of dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium had lower mortality risks of cancer (HRpotassium = 0.72, 95% CI:0.55-0.94, P for trend = 0.023; HRcalcium = 0.74, 95% CI:0.57-0.98, P for trend = 0.05; HRmagnesium = 0.75, 95% CI:0.56-0.99, P for trend = 0.037) and all-cause (HRpotassium = 0.83, 95% CI:0.73-0.94, P for trend = 0.012; HRcalcium = 0.87, 95% CI:0.76-0.99, P for trend = 0.025; HRmagnesium = 0.85, 95% CI:0.74-0.97, P for trend = 0.011; HRcopper = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.68-0.94, P for trend = 0.012). Further, equivalently replacing 10% of dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium consumed in the morning with those in the evening were associated with lower mortality risk of cancer (HRpotassium = 0.94, 95%CI:0.91-0.97; HRcalcium = 0.95, 95%CI:0.92-0.98; HRmagnesium = 0.95, 95%CI: 0.92-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the optimal intake time of potassium, calcium and magnesium for reducing the risk of cancer and all-cause mortality was in the evening.

Black in Cancer: An interview with founders Sigourney Bell and Henry J. Henderson.

We talk to Sigourney Bell and Henry J. Henderson about what motivated them to found Black in Cancer, the importance of community and representation, as well as the resources the organization provides, future directions, and how we and our readers can provide support.

A Nobel-Winning Scientist: Aziz Sancar and the Impact of his Work on the Molecular Pathology of Neoplastic Diseases.

Aziz Sancar, Nobel Prize winning Turkish scientist, made several discoveries which had a major impact on molecular sciences, particularly disciplines that focus on carcinogenesis and cancer treatment, including molecular pathology. Cloning the photolyase gene, which was the initial step of his work on DNA repair mechanisms, discovery of the "Maxicell" method, explanation of the mechanism of nucleotide excision repair and transcription-coupled repair, discovery of "molecular matchmakers", and mapping human excision repair genes at single nucleotide resolution constitute his major research topics. Moreover, Sancar discovered the cryptochromes, the clock genes in humans, in 1998, and this discovery led to substantial progress in the understanding of the circadian clock and the introduction of the concept of "chrono-chemoterapy" for more effective therapy in cancer patients. This review focuses on Aziz Sancar's scientific studies and their reflections on molecular pathology of neoplastic diseases. While providing a new perspective for researchers working in the field of pathology and molecular pathology, this review is also an evidence of how basic sciences and clinical sciences complete each other.

A SHORT HISTORY OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE: 2. ASBESTOS, CHEMICALS, RADIUM AND BEYOND.

Historically, the weighing out and manipulation of dangerous chemicals frequently occurred without adequate protection from inhalation or accidental ingestion. The use of gloves, eye protection using goggles, masks or visors was scant. From Canary Girls and chimney sweeps to miners, stone cutters and silo fillers, these are classic exemplars of the subtle (and in some cases not so subtle) effects that substances, environments and practices can have on individual health.

Cancers as rare diseases: Terminological, theoretical, and methodological biases.

OBJECTIVE: Was cancer a rare disease in the past? Our objective is to consider the various terminological, theoretical, and methodological biases that may affect perceptions of the rarity of cancer in the past. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We discuss relevant malignant neoplastic biomedical and paleopathological literature and evaluate skeletal data. We selected 108 archaeological sites (n = 151 cancer cases) with published malignant neoplasms and that were amenable to calculating cancer crude prevalence. Furthermore, datasets from four medieval/postmedieval Portuguese and 12 postmedieval UK sites were used to compare age-adjusted rates for metastatic bone disease and tuberculosis. RESULTS: In the literature review, mean cancer crude prevalence (1.2 %; 95 % CI = 0.96-1.4) exceeded the threshold for a rare disease (RD). Age-standardized rates of MBD and TB were not markedly different in the sites surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: Methodological, theoretical and historical factors contribute to assumptions that cancers were rare diseases. The assumption that cancers are extremely rare in the paleopathological literature was not fully supported. Cancer is a heterogeneous concept, and it is important to view it as such. If a disease is considered rare, we may fail to recognize it or dismiss it as unimportant in the past. SIGNIFICANCE: We present a re-evaluation of the idea that cancer is a rare disease. We present a more nuanced way of comparing rates of pathological conditions in archaeological contexts. LIMITATIONS: Variation in the amount of useable information in published literature on malignant neoplasms. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: More large-scale studies of cancer in the past alongside comparative studies of cancer prevalence with other assumed rare diseases.

Aldred Scott Warthin: Ann Arbor's Erudite, Outspoken, and Academically Transformative Early 20th Century Pathologist.

CONTEXT.­: Aldred Scott Warthin, MD, PhD, was professor of pathology and director of the pathological laboratory at the University of Michigan during the first third of the 20th century. OBJECTIVE.­: To explore the life and accomplishments of Dr. Warthin and his impact on academic anatomic and clinical pathology. DESIGN.­: Available primary and secondary historic sources were reviewed. RESULTS.­: After studying music, biology, and botany, Warthin attended medical school at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1891; he remained in Ann Arbor for 40 years, almost single-handedly transforming a rundown department into a top academic department. He was a dedicated teacher who produced 2 important pathology textbooks. His research interests were diverse. In 1913, he published one of the first papers unambiguously documenting heritability of cancers; subsequent research on one of his cancer families resulted in the description of Lynch Syndrome. He published extensively in the fields of surgical pathology and experimental pathology. He was a recognized expert on syphilis and pathology of aging. CONCLUSIONS.­: Warthin's name is eponymously associated with Warthin-Finkeldey giant cells in measles, Warthin's tumor of the parotid, and Warthin-Starry stain for the diagnosis of syphilis as well as Warthin's sign in the clinical diagnosis of pericarditis.

Now we are 30: 10 more years of MASCC.

This paper chronicles the third decade of MASCC from 2010. There was a generational change in this decade, building on the solid foundation of the founders. It included the first female President, and a new Executive Director with a background in strategy and business development and operations as applied to healthcare. The headquarters moved from Copenhagen to Toronto. The first meeting to be held outside of Europe or North America was held in Adelaide, Australia, and the membership in the Asia Pacific region expanded. A program of international affiliates saw national supportive care organisations formally link with MASCC. In cancer supportive care, there was a raft of new toxicities to manage as immunotherapies were added to conventional cytotoxic treatment. There was also a greater emphasis on the psychosocial needs of patients and families. New MASCC groups were formed to respond to this evolution in cancer management. The MASCC journal, Supportive Care in Cancer, continued to grow in impact, and MASCC published two editions of a textbook of supportive care and survivorship. The decade ended with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that served to highlight the importance of good supportive care to patients with cancer.