Carcinoma in situ

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Carcinoma in situ
Other namesin situ neoplasm
SpecialtyOncology

Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is a group of abnormal cells.[1][2] While they are a form of neoplasm,[3] there is disagreement over whether CIS should be classified as cancer. This controversy also depends on the exact CIS in question (i.e. cervical, skin, breast). Some authors do not classify them as cancer, however, recognizing that they can potentially become cancer.[1] Others classify certain types as a non-invasive form of cancer.[4][5] The term "pre-cancer" has also been used.

These abnormal cells grow in their normal place, thus "in situ" (from Latin for "in its place"). For example, carcinoma in situ of the skin, also called

tumor. Rather, the lesion is flat (in the skin, cervix, etc.) or follows the existing architecture of the organ (in the breast, lung, etc.). Exceptions include CIS of the colon (polyps), the bladder (preinvasive papillary cancer), or the breast (ductal carcinoma in situ or lobular carcinoma in situ
).

Many forms of CIS have a high probability of progression into cancer,[6] and therefore removal may be recommended; however, progression of CIS is known to be highly variable and not all CIS becomes invasive cancer.

In the TNM classification, carcinoma in situ is reported as TisN0M0 (stage 0).[7]

Terminology

These terms are related since they represent the steps of the progression toward cancer:

  • Dysplasia is the earliest form of precancerous lesion recognizable in a biopsy. Dysplasia can be low-grade or high-grade. High-grade dysplasia may also be referred to as carcinoma in situ.
  • Invasive carcinoma, usually simply called cancer, has the potential to invade and spread to surrounding tissues and structures, and may eventually be lethal.

Examples

High-grade dysplasia (carcinoma in situ) in the uterine cervix: The abnormal epithelium is extending into a mucous gland to the left of center. This disease can progress to invasive cancer (squamous cell carcinoma) of the cervix.

Treatment

Carcinoma in situ is, by definition, a localized phenomenon, with no potential for metastasis unless it progresses into cancer. Therefore, its removal eliminates the risk of subsequent progression into a life-threatening condition.

Some forms of CIS (e.g.,

radiotherapy
).

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0-387-31056-5
    .
  2. ^ "II Neoplams". World Health Organization. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  3. ISBN 9789241546492
    .
  4. ISBN 978-0-387-75246-4
    .
  5. PMID 20956817
    .
  6. ^ Ridge JA, Glisson BS, Lango MN, et al. "Head and Neck Tumors" Archived 2009-07-20 at the Wayback Machine in Pazdur R, Wagman LD, Camphausen KA, Hoskins WJ (Eds) Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach Archived 2013-10-04 at the Wayback Machine. 11 ed. 2008.
  7. ^ "Cancer Staging Fact Sheet". National Cancer Institute. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  8. ^ "Understanding Cervical Changes" (PDF). National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health. Retrieved 17 June 2014.[permanent dead link]

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carcinoma_in_situ&oldid=1199656766"