Malignant cell changes in the epithelial tissue that do not extend beyond the basement membrane; “cancer in place.”
Noninvasive cancer.
The first stage in the development of a cancer, where the epithelial cells begin to change.
Small cluster or nest of malignant cells that has not yet invaded the deeper epithelial tissue layers or spread to other parts of the body; preinvasive cancer (e.g., carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix). Treatment at this early stage is often successful.
Malignant lesion with cellular changes but limited to the immediate tissue; precursor to invasive malignant disease.
The first stage of carcinoma in which the malignant tumour is present only in the epithelium and when surgical excision of the local growth, with its pathological status confirmed in the laboratory, should ensure a cure.
Cancer that remains localized within the cells of its origin and has not metastasized to other tissues.
The earliest stage of cancer, known as carcinoma in situ, is typically treatable and potentially curable. At this stage, the disease remains confined to the surface layer of cells in an organ or other tissue and has not yet spread beyond that layer.