carcinoma in situ - All health - Medical Reference Library and Symptom Finder
Home About AllHealth Website Sitemap Contact Us
  
You are here: Home > Breast-Cancer > Causes-Other-(hidden)-743 > carcinoma-in-situ

 

carcinoma in situ

Definition
Carcinoma in situ describes a cancer in the very earliest stage. At this point, the cancer is quite small and has not invaded the tissues around it.

What is going on in the body?
Cancer develops in several stages. A cancer begins when a single cell becomes cancerous. This happens when the central control of the cell is damaged. The cell begins to grow and multiply out of control. When enough of these cells are produced they form a tumour. The tumour will eventually grow large enough to press on the tissue around it. The tumour will also invade and destroy the tissue around it. When a tumour has formed but has not begun to invade tissue, it is said to be "in situ," or in place. Some cancers may stay in this stage for a long time. Most cancers, however, do not stay in situ for long and begin to spread. Cancers found in situ are the easiest to cure because they have not spread.

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
Carcinoma in situ is so small that there may be no symptoms. carcinoma in situ of the breast may be found when a small change is noted on a mammogram. carcinoma in situ of the bladder may be found when the internal wall of the bladder is examined for other reasons. Routine Pap smears of the cervix are done to find carcinoma in situ of the cervix.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?
The risks for developing a particular type of carcinoma in situ (cervix, breast, and others) are the same as risk factors for developing that type of cancer.

What can be done to prevent the disease?
Some cancers cannot be prevented. Other cancers, such as bladder cancer, lung cancer and throat cancer, are related to smoking. Avoiding tobacco products in all forms may help prevent these cancers.

For the cancers that cannot be prevented, finding the cancer in an early stage is very important to ensuring successful treatment. Routine breast self examinations, mammograms, Pap smears, and testicular self-examinations can help to find cancers in an early stage.

How is the disease diagnosed?
Carcinoma in situ is diagnosed by taking a sample, or biopsy, of the area. This sample is sent to a laboratory to see if it is cancerous.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Carcinoma in situ is likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer that has spread, or metastasised, is fatal if it is not treated.

What are the risks to others?
There is no risk to others from a person who has carcinoma in situ.

What are the treatments for the disease?
Removing all of the cancerous tissue is the primary treatment. This can be done by surgery. Removing the cancer can also be done by destroying the area chemically, with chemotherapy, or with radiation therapy.

What are the side effects of the treatments?
Because the affected area is small, the side effects and discomfort are minimal.

What happens after treatment for the disease?
Sometimes, the presence of one carcinoma in situ can mean that others will form. The person will be monitored closely to see if carcinoma in situ comes back at the same spot or if a new one develops somewhere else.

How is the disease monitored?
The affected area will be closely monitored. For example, a woman with carcinoma in situ of the cervix will need more frequent Pap smears than a woman without cancer. A woman with Carcinoma in situ of the breast will need more frequent mammograms. A person who has had Carcinoma in situ of the bladder will require frequent examinations of the bladder wall.

Author:
Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel
Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia
Last Updated: 1/10/2001
Contributors
Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request


This website and article is not a substitute for independent professional advice. Nothing contained in this website is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional's advice.  All Health and any associated parties do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information.

 

Back Email a Friend View Printable Version Bookmark This Page

 

eknowhow | The World's Best Websites
    Privacy Policy and Disclaimer