Getty Images For patients with DCIS, the cells that make up the lining of their milk ducts turn cancerous but remain in place, or in situ, meaning they ... recurrence in the original breast ...

The words in situ mean in its original place. These in situ cells are not malignant, or cancerous. However, they can sometimes become cancerous and spread to nearby locations beyond the layer of ...

The words in situ mean “in the original place.” It’s possible for the cells to turn into invasive cancer, meaning they spread into healthy tissue. That's why you should get treatment right away.

But one diagnostic word in particular threatens to derail any rational discussion of its meaning ... “in situ,” however, means limited to one place. The name is “a relic from prior ...