Carcinoma in Situ
From the National Cancer Institute’s Dictionary of Cancer terms
What is
Carcinoma in situ, [KAR-si-NO-ma in SYE-too]
Cancer that involves only cells in the tissue in which it began and that has not spread to nearby tissues.
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From Cornell University
Carcinoma in situ, or
CIS, is the presence of cancerous-appearing cells, proliferating in an abnormally high number, but are confined to the transitional epithelium. That is, they have not invaded into deeper tissue layers such as muscle, or even the fibrous layers separating the epithelium from the muscle.
CIS represents a rather confusing stage in the development of
bladder cancer. As described previously (see "What is cancer?"), cancer occurs when a tumor has the potential to invade into a different tissue layer. However, in the case of
CIS, the cancerous condition has not yet penetrated beyond its normal position in the body. In general
CIS tends to be a far more malignant process with greater metastatic potential than some large low grade tumors that have begun to invade through the bladder wall.
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From WebMD
CIS can develop alone or in association with papillary tumors. This type of cancer can be difficult to diagnose because patients may present only with irritative voiding
symptoms, which is a common problem in a urology office. Patients usually have microscopic or gross hematuria and are often misdiagnosed with a bladder infection and are treated as such. Cystoscopy may reveal a characteristic red, velvety appearance that resembles an area of inflammation, although, at times,
CIS is not visible. Diagnostic tests include a urine cytology test and/or one of several available
bladder cancer markers. These tests are highly sensitive in detecting
CIS. Bladder biopsies are needed to firmly establish a diagnosis.
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Stage 0
bladder cancer includes noninvasive papillary carcinoma (Ta) and flat noninvasive carcinoma (Tis). This early stage of
bladder cancer is most often treated with transurethral resection (TUR). This may be followed by intravesical therapy.
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Intravesical Therapy is a treatment that is put directly into the bladder (through a catheter) rather than being given by mouth or injected into a veinRead More
