In this article we present the opinions of some eminent Roman physicians about cancer. We emphasize the points of view of Galen, famous Roman physician of Greek origin whose doctrines dominated medicine for more than 15 centuries. We then cite the opinions about cancer of some other outstanding physicians of that period like Celsus, Pliny, Leonidis of Alexandria, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, Soranus of Ephesus etc. We also quote some examples of cancer and we describe what those physicians thought of its pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.
Department of History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
J Buon. 2009 Jul 1;14(3):537-40.
AbstractIn this article we present the opinions of some eminent Roman physicians about cancer. We emphasize the points of view of Galen, famous Roman physician of Greek origin whose doctrines dominated medicine for more than 15 centuries. We then cite the opinions about cancer of some other outstanding physicians of that period like Celsus, Pliny, Leonidis of Alexandria, Aretaeus of Cappadocia, Soranus of Ephesus etc. We also quote some examples of cancer and we describe what those physicians thought of its pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.