×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Friday
25
Sep 2026
weather symbol
Athens 17°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Egypt: Doctors attempted surgery on a head tumor 4,500 years ago marking the dawn of modern medicine

Research on the skull of a young man indicate attempts made to remove tumors leaving marks from a sharp object

Newsroom May 29 07:43

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

Archaeologists have found clear evidence that doctors in ancient Egypt attempted to treat brain tumors in a young man who lived 4,300 to 4,600 years ago. This is the oldest known surgical intervention for cancer, scientists emphasize in the journal Frontiers of Science. ‘This is where modern medicine begins,’ they emphasize. The skull is dated between 2686 and 2345 BCE and belonged to a man approximately 30-35 years old.

See Also

Tragedy in Amsterdam: Man reportedly pulled into airplane engine in front of passengers

>Related articles

Joint ‘strike force’ of Greece, Cyprus and Egypt against threats: What was agreed at the Cairo trilateral meeting

Message to Turkey from the Greece–Cyprus–Egypt trilateral: Any agreement on the delimitation of maritime zones must comply with the Law of the Sea

Live: Statements by Mitsotakis and Sisi following their meeting in Egypt and the trilateral meeting with Cyprus

Archaeologists discovered a large cancerous tumor with over 30 metastatic lesions on an ancient Egyptian skull. Some lesions had marks suggesting surgical intervention, indicating doctors attempted an operation to save the man’s life, showcasing advanced medical practices for the time. This case predates known ancient medical records by 700 to 1,000 years, demonstrating early attempts at cancer treatment. Another skull, belonging to a woman from around 664-343 BC, showed evidence of both cancer and healed blunt force trauma, further illustrating the medical sophistication of ancient Egypt.

 

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#egypt#modern medicine.#tumors
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Explosion in building in Plaka, severe damage reported

September 25, 2026

A “Breath of fresh air” in the Strait of Hormuz: 60 ships passed through in a single day despite the U.S.-Iran war

September 25, 2026

Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s Speech at the UN General Assembly: A Message to Turkey on International Law, with a Focus on the Economy and AI

September 25, 2026

AHEPA leaders meet with Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis during UN General Assembly

September 25, 2026

Government welcomes Erdogan’s statements: “We did not raise the tension”

September 24, 2026

Mitsotakis–Netanyahu Meeting at the UN: Energy Cooperation in Focus, New Trilateral with Cyprus on the Table

September 24, 2026

Metron Analysis: New Democracy at 30.2%, leading by 14.4 points – ELAS at 15.8% with losses, PASOK gains, Karystianou drops to eighth

September 24, 2026

Russia “truly appreciates” US invitation to G20, Kremlin says: Putin has not decided whether to attend

September 24, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα