Explorer

Researchers Find 2000-Year-Old Pregnant Mummy That May Have Had Cancer

Researchers at the Warsaw Mummy Project have found traces of cancer in an Egyptian mummy. Facial skeleton defects of the 2000-year-old mummy indicate that the woman may have had nasopharyngeal cancer

Researchers at the Warsaw Mummy Project, an initiative started by archaeologists from the University of Warsaw in 2015, have found traces of cancer in an Egyptian mummy. The researchers reported in 2021 that the mummified woman was pregnant.

The facial skeleton defects of the 2000-year-old mummy indicate that the woman may have suffered from nasopharyngeal cancer, according to a statement released by Science in Poland. 

Professor Rafal Stec from the Department of Oncology at the Medical University of Warsaw said in the statement that firstly, there were unusual changes in the nasopharyngeal bones. According to mummy experts, these changes are not typical of the mummification process. 

He added that secondly, the opinions of radiologists based on computed tomography indicate the possibility of tumour changes in the bones.

Stec also said that the young age of the deceased and the lack of another cause of death indicate an 'oncological cause' with a high probability.

He said that a malignant tumour is suspected for now, and the only certain diagnosis is possible after a histopathological examination. This would give a 100 per cent certainty.

What do the researchers plan to do next?

Now, the plan of the mummy researchers is to collect tissue samples and compare them with cancer samples from other Egyptian mummies stored in tissue banks in the United States and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, cancer in ancient Egypt was not rare. There are several known cases of confirmed nasopharyngeal cancer from ancient Egypt.

The mummy analysis can contribute to the development of modern medicine by revealing the 'molecular signature' of cancer that can be compared with currently occurring cancers, according to researchers.

This is expected to expand the knowledge of cancer evolution and indicate further research directions in both diagnostics and treatment. 

According to the statement, planned further research will determine the cause of the disease — whether it was associated with virus infection, for example HPV (Human Papillomavirus), or had a genetic background. 

The mummy of the pregnant woman was brought to Poland by Jan Wężyk-Rudzki in 1826 or 1827. A new study determined that the mummy was that of a woman. 

The mummy, belonging to the University of Warsaw, has been loaned to the National Museum in Warsaw since 1917. The mummy is displayed together with the sarcophagus at the permanent exhibition of the Ancient Art Gallery.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
Another Blow To Congress As I-T Dept Serves Rs 1,700-Crore Notice Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections: Report
Another Blow To Congress As I-T Dept Serves Rs 1,700-Crore Notice Ahead Of Lok Sabha Elections
Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign To Drum Up Support For Jailed Delhi CM
Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign To Drum Up Support For Jailed Delhi CM
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Bihar Seat Sharing: RJD to contest the upcoming polls on 26 seats-Sources | Elections 2024 |ABP NewsABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: Anurag Thakur takes a jibe at Arvind Kejriwal's arrest | ABP NewsArvind Kejriwal Arrest: Sunita Kejriwal Launches WhatsApp Campaign To Drum Up Support For Jailed Delhi CMABP SHIKHAR SAMMELAN 2024: Here's What Defence Minister Reveals About His Further Political Plans

Photogallery

Embed widget