What does in situ mean in cancer?

In situ means the cancer has not spread beyond the original site. The cells that make up cancer are still located within the organ in which the tumor originated. They haven’t begun to migrate and spread to other organs.

What does in situ mean in oral cancer?

In situ cancer means the cancer is contained within the tissue in which it started. There is no spread beyond the initial site. This is also called local cancer. The three main types of oral cancer that are classified as in situ are oral cancer of the lip, oral cancer of the tongue, and oral cancer of the floor of the mouth.

What does in situ cancer mean?

In situ cancer is a less advanced stage of cancer, in which the tumor is still confined to the place where it began. This is sometimes called local or primary cancer. Cancerous cells may have started to grow within a specific organ, but haven’t spread beyond it yet. The most common forms of in situ cancer are breast, cervical, and skin cancer.

What does in situ mean in breast cancer?

Invasive ductal carcinoma that is contained within the breast tissue. Tumors that are detected in situ are usually small (less than 2 centimeters or about an inch in diameter), and most are not harmful. The term “in situ” is used because these cancers are not yet invasive. Because it is small, the cancer is easier to treat if caught early.

What does in situ mean in cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the cervix. It is a slow-growing cancer that does not have signs or symptoms until it is advanced. Most cases of cervical cancer are detected by a screening test called a Papanicolaou (Pap) test. If the Pap test detects abnormal cells, a follow-up test called an HPV test is done. If the results of the HPV test are abnormal, the doctor may recommend additional tests, such as an MRI or