China News Service, August 4th. According to foreign media reports, on August 3 local time, a study published in the famous medical journal "The Lancet Tumor" showed that scientists discovered and diagnosed horned dinosaur fossils for the first time. This is the first time that an aggressive malignant bone cancer-osteosarcoma has been diagnosed in this dinosaur.
Data map: Scientists discovered and diagnosed aggressive malignant bone cancer in horned dinosaur fossils for the first time.
According to reports, this cancerous fibula or calf bone belonged to a horned dinosaur that existed between 76 million and 77 million years ago. It was first discovered in Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta in 1989. The deformed end of the fossil was originally thought to be a trace of fracture healing.
However, after further research on it using modern medical technology, Dr. Mark Crowther, Professor of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University, said, “On the horned dinosaurs 76 million years ago, they showed a clear late stage. The characteristics of bone cancer, this is the first of its kind. This is very exciting."
He said, “The process of diagnosing this aggressive cancer in dinosaurs is very difficult and requires medical expertise and multiple levels of analysis to correctly identify it.”
Data map: Scientists discovered and diagnosed aggressive malignant bone cancer in horned dinosaur fossils for the first time.
The report pointed out that in the research process, scientists carefully examined and scanned the bones and observed the fossil bone flakes under a microscope. Subsequently, the scientists used 3D reconstruction tools to visualize how the cancer spreads in the bones. The researchers finally diagnosed that the dinosaur had osteosarcoma.
To confirm this diagnosis, they then compared the fossil with a normal fibula from the same dinosaur and a human male fibula with a confirmed osteosarcoma. It is understood that osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer, which occurs mostly in adolescents in humans.
Data map: Scientists discovered and diagnosed aggressive malignant bone cancer in horned dinosaur fossils for the first time. The picture shows the comparison of fossil bone with malignant bone cancer and normal fossil bone of horned dinosaur.
According to reports, the fossil specimens are from adult dinosaurs who have advanced cancer, and their cancer cells may have invaded other systems in the body. However, it is not clear whether the dinosaurs died of cancer.
The report pointed out that the research was carried out in cooperation between the Royal Ontario Museum and McMaster University. The study stated that its purpose is to establish a new standard for disease diagnosis of dinosaur fossils and "open the door" for accurate diagnosis.