Not every change in the body’s tissues is cancer. Some tissue changes
may develop into cancer if they are not treated, however. Here are some
examples of tissue changes that are not cancer but, in some cases, are
monitored:
Hyperplasia occurs when cells within a tissue divide faster than
normal and extra cells build up, or proliferate. However, the cells and
the way the tissue is organized look normal under a microscope.
Hyperplasia can be caused by several factors or conditions, including
chronic irritation.
Dysplasia is a more serious condition than hyperplasia. In dysplasia,
there is also a buildup of extra cells. But the cells look abnormal and
there are changes in how the tissue is organized. In general, the more
abnormal the cells and tissue look, the greater the chance that cancer
will form.
Some types of dysplasia may need to be monitored or treated. An
example of dysplasia is an abnormal mole (called a dysplastic nevus)
that forms on the skin. A dysplastic nevus can turn into melanoma,
although most do not.
An even more serious condition is carcinoma in situ. Although it is
sometimes called cancer, carcinoma in situ is not cancer because the
abnormal cells do not spread beyond the original tissue. That is, they
do not invade nearby tissue the way that cancer cells do. But, because
some carcinomas in situ may become cancer, they are usually treated.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
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