Scientists Discover Cancerous Tumor in Dinosaur Fossils, Unlocking Insights for Modern Treatment

A new study suggests that soft tissues preserved within ancient bones for millions of years could provide valuable insights into cancer mechanisms—and how we might treat the disease today.

Researchers from the UK and Romania examined the fossilized remains of the dinosaur Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a small «swamp lizard» about the size of a cow that roamed modern-day Romania approximately 66-70 million years ago.

Employing advanced microscopy techniques, the team identified structures resembling red blood cells (or erythrocytes) associated with a jaw tumor previously discovered in an earlier study.

This finding suggests that small pieces of soft tissue may be preserved in fossils more frequently than previously believed, offering a wealth of information about these ancient beings, including the diseases they faced.

«Unlike skeletal structures, soft tissues contain proteins that deliver molecular insights capable of illuminating the biological processes of diseases,» states oncologist Justin Stebbing from Anglia Ruskin University.

The discovery of dinosaur soft tissue fragments, like those discussed here, could be pivotal in understanding the mechanisms of cancer and their evolutionary development, researchers propose.

Large animals such as whales and elephants have developed ways to protect themselves from cancer, and it is quite possible that dinosaurs did as well. Gaining insights into these ancient biological adaptations may one day serve as a foundation for innovative strategies in cancer prevention and treatment for humans.