Carcinoma in situ is an early form of cancer that has not spread to surrounding tissue. It can develop into invasive cancer if left untreated. Examples include bladder and cervical cancers, ductal carcinoma in situ, colon polyps, Bowen’s disease, and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Removal methods vary depending on location.
Carcinoma in situ is an early form of cancer that has not moved into surrounding tissue. It typically does not form a tumor, although there are some exceptions to this. This type of cancer typically grows in a flat area or along the curve of the body in which it is found. Although in situ carcinoma itself is not invasive or malignant, if left untreated, it can develop into an invasive form of carcinoma. Most doctors refer to it as pre-cancer and want to remove the lesion before it has a chance to develop into a malignant form of carcinoma.
Some of the different forms of carcinoma in situ include bladder and cervical cancers, ductal carcinoma in situ, which is a form of breast cancer, colon polyps, and Bowen’s disease, which is skin cancer. The only form considered fatal is bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. This condition develops in the lung, expanding until it fills the lung, making breathing impossible. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is malignant, so its classification in this group of carcinomas is controversial.
A common form of carcinoma in situ is Bowen’s disease. Bowen’s disease is an early form of squamous cell carcinoma. Bowen’s disease is more common in women than men and can develop anywhere on the body. It is triggered by sun damage, immune suppression, viral infection or skin injury. Bowen’s disease begins as an enlarged area with a ragged border and, left alone, can become malignant. A doctor removes plaque in several ways; with local chemotherapy, freezing it with cryotherapy or surgically.
Some forms of carcinoma in situ develop into tumors if left untreated. Colon polyps and some forms of breast cancer are both examples of malignancies that start as carcinoma in situ. Whether or not the carcinoma is in a place where it is likely to develop into a tumor, it is important to remove it as quickly as possible.
Carcinoma in situ is not malignant or invasive, so there are no cancerous cells roaming outside the area of the carcinoma. This means that removing the carcinoma will eliminate the risk of cancer. The method of removal depends on where the carcinoma is located. Doctors remove some cancers, such as colon polyps, nonsurgically with an endoscope. Others require surgical removal and still others are removed with a laser.
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