Epithelial Dysplasia

Question 1

What is this describing?

A pre-malignant condition of the epithelium defined by disorder growth or differentiation.

Answer 1

Epithelial dysplasia

Question 2

How are cervical and colonic epithelial dysplasia graded?

Answer 2

1. Cervix - mild/moderate/severe

2. Colon - low and high

Question 3

What is different about carcinoma in situ/dysplasia compared to carcinoma?

Answer 3

Carcinoma in situ/dysplasia has not invaded through the basement membrane.

Question 4

Why does carcinoma in situ have no metastatic potential?

Answer 4

Because it is restricted by the basement membrane and therefore cannot access routes for metastasis.

Question 5

What are the key differences between carcinoma and carcinoma in situ?

Answer 5

1. Carcinoma - malignant, invasive growth, cancer.

2. Carcinoma in situ - premalignant, potential to progress, no metastatic potential, precancer.

Question 6

What is the specific name for the premalignant epithelial lesion in the cervix?

Answer 6

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

Question 7

Which cancers do not have a premalignant phase and why?

Answer 7

1. Sarcomas (connective tissue) and lymphomas (lymphoid cells)
2. Not bound by a basement membrane