What are in situ cancers?
-
Dr. Dede Bonner answered:In situ cancers are tumors that haven’t grown beyond their original site; “in situ” literally means “in the site of,” or localized. These are considered noninvasive cancers.
Within in situ cancers, there are two types:
A. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS refers to abnormal cells in the lining of a milk duct that haven’t invaded the surrounding breast tissue. This is early-stage breast cancer and is sometimes considered a precancerous condition. Almost all women with DCIS can be successfully treated, and no evidence suggests that DCIS affects a woman’s life span. However, if left untreated, DCIS may eventually develop into invasive breast cancer.
B. Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). LCIS means that abnormal cells are contained within a lobule of your breast but they haven’t invaded the surrounding breast tissue. Whether LCIS is an early form of breast cancer or just an indicator for future cancer is still a controversy among experts. But they do agree that LCIS increases the risk of developing breast cancer later.
Find out more about this book: The 10 Best Questions for Surviving Breast Cancer: The Script You Need to T...
In situ cancers are tumors that haven’t grown beyond their original site; “in situ” literally means “in the site of,” or localized. These are considered noninvasive cancers. Within in situ cancers, there are two types:... More
