Probable malignancy in a Sadlermiut Eskimo mandible

Am J Phys Anthropol. 1977 Mar;46(2):291-6. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.1330460210.

Abstract

The mandible of a Sadlermiut Eskimo woman, age at death 28 to 30 years, displays numerous well-formed formamina concentrated bilaterally around the mental foramina. Differential diagnosis identifies this lesion with highest probability as a metastatic cancerous lesion: of less likelihood are sarcoma, hyperparathyroidism, hemangioma, and osteomyelitis. The specimen deserves attention because identification of malignancy in paleopathological material is uncommon and difficult, and because malignancies in aboriginal Eskimo populations are reputed to have been rare or absent.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inuit*
  • Mandibular Neoplasms* / pathology