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Breast cancer in antiquity
François Pieter Retief, Louise Cilliers
Abstract
Cancer of the breast, seen by Galen as the commonest cancer of his time, was probably first mentioned by Hippocrates in the 5th century BC. A single case history was described but no specific treatment mentioned. For centuries no further cases were described, until Cato, 2nd century BC, advocated cabbage poultices for all tumours and breast cancer in particular. Aëtius of Amida probably first described Paget’s cancer of the nipple. By the 2nd century AD treatment comprised a variety of local applications, systemic medicaments, venesection and surgery. Surgical resection first described by Celsus and subsequently by Leonidas (usually combined with cautery) proved curative when applied early in the disease.
Authors' affiliations
François Pieter Retief, University of the Free State
Louise Cilliers, University of the Free State
Keywords
Hippocrates: flux of humours; Paget's cancer of the nipple; systemic medicaments; venesection; surgical resection; cautery
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2011;101(8):513-515.
Article History
Date submitted: 2010-09-13
Date published: 2011-07-25
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