Aretaeus of Cappadocia (ca 1st-3rd century AD): views on hepatic cancer.

Aretaeus lived in an era when cancer was known to be a fatal disease. He had understood both liver's capacity to regenerate, and its vital role for the body's homeostasis, and proposed the treatment to confront hepatic cancer. Although human's anatomy was well studied, especially in the Alexandrian School, and a plethora of surgical instruments and techniques were available, he had suggested a more holistic-palliative approach for hepatic cancer by applying a suitable dietetic regime, pain killers and psychological support.