Carcinoma in situ

Carcinoma in situ
Classification and external resources
ICD-O M8010/2

Carcinoma in situ (CIS), also known as in situ neoplasm, 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 Bowen's disease, is the accumulation of dysplastic epidermal cells within the epidermis only, that has failed to penetrate into the deeper dermis. For this reason, CIS will usually not form a 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 (pre-invasive 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, it is well-known that progression of CIS is 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:

Examples

High grade dysplasia (carcinoma in situ) in the uterine cervix. The abnormal epithelium is extending into a mucus 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., colon polyps and polypoid tumours of the bladder) can be removed using an endoscope, without conventional surgical resection. Dysplasia of the uterine cervix is removed by excision (cutting it out) or by burning with a laser. Bowen's disease of the skin is removed by excision. Other forms require major surgery, the best known being intraductal carcinoma of the breast (also treated with radiotherapy). One of the most dangerous forms of CIS is the "pneumonic form" of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of the lung, which can require extensive surgical removal of large parts of the lung. When too large, it often cannot be completely removed, with eventual disease progression and death of the patient.

References

  1. 1 2 Chang, Alfred (2007). Oncology: An Evidence-Based Approach. Springer. p. 162. ISBN 9780387310565.
  2. "II Neoplams". World Health Organization. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  3. Organization, World Health (2004). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (10. rev., 2. ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization. p. 38. ISBN 9789241546492.
  4. J.@Saclarides, ed. by Jonathan A.@Myers, Keith W.@Millikan, Theodore (2008). Common surgical diseases an algorithmic approach to problem solving. (2nd rev. ed.). New York: Springer. ISBN 9780387752464.
  5. Allred, DC (2010). "Ductal carcinoma in situ: terminology, classification, and natural history.". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs 2010 (41): 134–8. doi:10.1093/jncimonographs/lgq035. PMID 20956817.
  6. Ridge JA, Glisson BS, Lango MN, et al. "Head and Neck Tumors" in Pazdur R, Wagman LD, Camphausen KA, Hoskins WJ (Eds) Cancer Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach. 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.
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