A client had a positive Pap smear. The surgeon diagnosed "cancer in situ of the cervix." The client asks, "What does this mean?" From the following statements, which is most appropriate in response to this question? The tumor has:

A) Been walled off within a strong fibrous capsule

B) Developed a distant infiltration

C) Not crossed the basement membrane, so it can be surgically removed with little chance of growing back

D) Grown undifferentiated cells that no longer look like the tissue from which it arose

Answer: (C) Not crossed the basement membrane, so it can be surgically removed with little chance of growing back.

Explanation: Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a diagnostic process to test for cancer of the cervix or cervical cancer.

A Pap smear involves collecting cells from your cervix to check forabnormal cells, which is often cause by Human papillomavirus (HPV).

However, if the test is positive and the surgeon diagnosed "cancer in situ of the cervix.", it established that the tumor (proliferated cells) hasn't grown beyond the base of the membrane. So, the abnormal cells can be removed through surgery and further cell outgrow might not be experienced.

Answer: C. It means the tumor has not crossed the basement membrane of the womb (cervix) and can be surgically removed with a very low risk of growing back or spreading to other areas

Explanation: Cancer is said to be "in situ" when abnormal cells (cancerous cells) are still in the original place they were formed and has neither spread to other regions nor moved from the same position. These types of cancer are well contained and can be removed surgically to prevent them from being malignant thereby spreading to other regions.

Cancer in situ is usually referred to as stage 0 (zero) cancer as it has not invaded nearby regions which makes it highly treatable which usually involves surgically removing the tumor and sometimes radiation.