Dinosaurs, the colossal rulers of prehistoric Earth, were not immune to the ailments that still plague modern animals, including cancer. In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have confirmed that a duck-billed dinosaur that lived 70 million years ago suffered from a benign tumour. The fossilised remains of Telmatosaurus Transsylvanicus, found in present-day Romania, contained evidence of a jaw tumour known as ameloblastoma. The condition, still seen in humans today, offers a rare and remarkable link between ancient and modern biology. This finding opens new doors for studying the evolution of diseases and their relevance to human health.
Fossil evidence of cancer in dinosaurs
Researchers studying the fossil of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus used high-resolution imaging to identify the presence of ameloblastoma, a benign tumour typically affecting the jaw. While fossilised evidence of disease has been found before, this discovery provides the clearest and most scientifically verified case of cancer in dinosaurs to date.
A link between dinosaurs and humans
The fact that the tumour resembles those found in humans is especially significant. Scientists believe this connection between species separated by millions of years could reveal crucial insights about how cancer has evolved. It suggests that certain diseases have long biological histories, rooted deep in evolutionary time.
New methods unlock ancient secrets
Teams from Imperial College London and Anglia Ruskin University used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the fossil. They discovered structures resembling red blood cells and preserved proteins, which is remarkable for a 70-million-year-old specimen. Unlike DNA, which degrades over time, proteins can survive and offer new paths for studying ancient life.
What dinosaurs can teach us about cancer
Understanding how large-bodied, long-lived animals like dinosaurs managed diseases could help researchers develop new cancer treatments. Scientists believe that ancient species may have evolved unique cancer-suppression mechanisms, which could inspire future approaches in human medicine.
Preserving fossils for future discoveries
The study also highlights the importance of fossil conservation. As molecular science continues to evolve, ancient remains could hold answers to medical questions of the future. “We need to ensure these specimens are preserved for ongoing research,” said study co-author Justin Stebbing.
A new frontier in medicine and palaeontology
This discovery bridges the gap between palaeontology and modern medical science, showing that studying ancient life isn’t just about the past. It may help shape the future of disease understanding and treatment. As more fossils are studied with advanced techniques, scientists hope to uncover even more about the hidden health histories of Earth’s oldest inhabitants.
