Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (774 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
A lesion with cytological characteristics associated with invasive adenocarcinoma but the tumor cells are confined to the glandular epithelial cells of origin. Adenocarcinoma in situ of the cervix and the LUNG are the most common.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Adenocarcinoma in Situs; in Situ, Adenocarcinoma; Situ, Adenocarcinoma in; Adenocarcinoma, Intraepithelial; Adenocarcinomas, Intraepithelial; Intraepithelial Adenocarcinoma; Intraepithelial Adenocarcinomas; Adenocarcinoma, Preinvasive.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Adenocarcinoma; Carcinoma in Situ; Morphological and Microscopic Findings
Related concepts
- Glandular Epithelial Cells
- Cervix Uteri
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 343 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Adenocarcinoma in Situ” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 172 of them (50.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 176 records.
Reviews account for 32 records (9.3%) and meta-analyses for 6. Randomized controlled trials number 7 (2.0%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 176 |
| 2020 onward | 172 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 32 | 9.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 6 | 1.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 7 | 2.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Adenocarcinoma in Situ"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Genomic and immune profiling of pre-invasive lung adenocarcinoma [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma are the pre-invasive forms of lung adenocarcinoma.
- Closing excerpt
- Immune infiltration is correlated with copy number alterations of chromosome arm 6p, suggesting a link between arm-level events and the tumor immune environment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (115 words)
Adenocarcinoma in situ and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma are the pre-invasive forms of lung adenocarcinoma. The genomic and immune profiles of these lesions are poorly understood. Here we report exome and transcriptome sequencing of 98 lung adenocarcinoma precursor lesions and 99 invasive adenocarcinomas. We have identified EGFR, RBM10, BRAF, ERBB2, TP53, KRAS, MAP2K1 and MET as significantly mutated genes in the pre/minimally invasive group. Classes of genome alterations that increase in frequency during the progression to malignancy are revealed. These include mutations in TP53, arm-level copy number alterations, and HLA loss of heterozygosity. Immune infiltration is correlated with copy number alterations of chromosome arm 6p, suggesting a link between arm-level events and the tumor immune environment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31784532 · DOI · PMC6884501
Delineating the dynamic evolution from preneoplasia to invasive lung adenocarcinoma by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The cell ecology and spatial niche implicated in the dynamic and sequential process of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) from adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) to minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and subsequent invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) have not yet been elucidated.
- Closing excerpt
- Therefore, our results reveal the specific cellular information and spatial architecture of cancer cells and TME subpopulations, as well as the cellular interaction between them, which will facilitate the identification and development of precision medicine in the invasive process of LUAD from AIS to IAC.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (252 words)
The cell ecology and spatial niche implicated in the dynamic and sequential process of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) from adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) to minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and subsequent invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) have not yet been elucidated. Here, we performed an integrative analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to characterize the cell atlas of the invasion trajectory of LUAD. We found that the UBE2C + cancer cell subpopulation constantly increased during the invasive process of LUAD with remarkable elevation in IAC, and its spatial distribution was in the peripheral cancer region of the IAC, representing a more malignant phenotype. Furthermore, analysis of the TME cell type subpopulation showed a constant decrease in mast cells, monocytes, and lymphatic endothelial cells, which were implicated in the whole process of invasive LUAD, accompanied by an increase in NK cells and MALT B cells from AIS to MIA and an increase in Tregs and secretory B cells from MIA to IAC. Notably, for AIS, cancer cells, NK cells, and mast cells were colocalized in the cancer region; however, for IAC, Tregs colocalized with cancer cells. Finally, communication and interaction between cancer cells and TME cell-induced constitutive activation of TGF-β signaling were involved in the invasion of IAC. Therefore, our results reveal the specific cellular information and spatial architecture of cancer cells and TME subpopulations, as well as the cellular interaction between them, which will facilitate the identification and development of precision medicine in the invasive process of LUAD from AIS to IAC.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 36434043 · DOI · PMC9722784
Molecular analysis of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma with and without associated serous tubal intra-epithelial carcinoma [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Many high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) of the pelvis are thought to originate in the distal portion of the fallopian tube.
- Closing excerpt
- Here the authors report the molecular analysis of HGSCs with and without associated STICs and show similar profiles supporting a common origin for all HGSCs.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (197 words)
Many high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) of the pelvis are thought to originate in the distal portion of the fallopian tube. Serous tubal intra-epithelial carcinoma (STIC) lesions are the putative precursor to HGSC and identifiable in ~ 50% of advanced stage cases. To better understand the molecular etiology of HGSCs, we report a multi-center integrated genomic analysis of advanced stage tumors with and without STIC lesions and normal tissues. The most significant focal DNA SCNAs were shared between cases with and without STIC lesions. The RNA sequence and the miRNA data did not identify any clear separation between cases with and without STIC lesions. HGSCs had molecular profiles more similar to normal fallopian tube epithelium than ovarian surface epithelium or peritoneum. The data suggest that the molecular features of HGSCs with and without associated STIC lesions are mostly shared, indicating a common biologic origin, likely to be the distal fallopian tube among all cases.High-grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) are associated with precursor lesions (STICs) in the fallopian epithelium in only half of the cases. Here the authors report the molecular analysis of HGSCs with and without associated STICs and show similar profiles supporting a common origin for all HGSCs.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 29042553 · DOI · PMC5645359
Safety and oncologic outcomes of total laparoscopic versus abdominal hysterectomy following diagnostic conization for adenocarcinoma in situ and stage IA1 cervical cancer: a multicenter retrospective study [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundWhile simple hysterectomy is the standard treatment for adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and stage IA1 cervical cancer, minimally invasive surgery has been increasingly adopted.
- Closing excerpt
- TLH may be a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (210 words)
BackgroundWhile simple hysterectomy is the standard treatment for adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and stage IA1 cervical cancer, minimally invasive surgery has been increasingly adopted. However, evidence on the safety and efficacy of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for these conditions remains limited. We compared the safety and efficacy of TLH and total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) in patients undergoing simple hysterectomy following diagnostic conization.MethodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective study of 196 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), AIS, or stage IA1 cervical cancer who underwent simple hysterectomy following diagnostic conization. Patients were divided into TLH and TAH groups, and intraoperative and postoperative complications and oncologic outcomes were compared.ResultsOperative time was significantly longer in the TLH group, whereas intraoperative blood loss was lower and postoperative hospital stay shorter. No significant difference was noted in severe complication rates, although their patterns varied between groups. Recurrence occurred in one patient (0.5%), a case of CIN3 at the vaginal cuff in the stage IA1 TAH group. No recurrences were observed in patients with AIS or stage IA1 disease in the TLH group.ConclusionsTLH following diagnostic conization for AIS or stage IA1 cervical cancer demonstrated oncologic efficacy comparable to TAH, with a favorable safety profile. TLH may be a reasonable treatment option for carefully selected patients.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41617964 · DOI · PMC12932381
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Diagnosis and Management of Adenocarcinoma in Situ: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Evidence-Based Review and Recommendations [5]
- Research article Lung Adenocarcinoma Staging Using the 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERS Classification: A Pooled Analysis of Adenocarcinoma In Situ and Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma [6]
- Research article Early lung cancer with lepidic pattern: adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma [7]
- Research article Prognostic considerations of the new World Health Organization classification of lung adenocarcinoma [8]
- Research article Recommendations for diagnosing STIC: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer - pathophysiology and clinical management [10]
References
- Chen H, Carrot-Zhang J, Zhao Y, Hu H, Freeman SS, Yu S, et al.. Genomic and immune profiling of pre-invasive lung adenocarcinoma. . 2019. PMID 31784532 · DOI · PMC6884501
- Zhu J, Fan Y, Xiong Y, Wang W, Chen J, Xia Y, et al.. Delineating the dynamic evolution from preneoplasia to invasive lung adenocarcinoma by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. . 2022. PMID 36434043 · DOI · PMC9722784
- Ducie J, Dao F, Considine M, Olvera N, Shaw PA, Kurman RJ, et al.. Molecular analysis of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma with and without associated serous tubal intra-epithelial carcinoma. . 2017. PMID 29042553 · DOI · PMC5645359
- Kaido Y, Kagabu M, Chiba Y, Sato S, Takatori E, Nagasawa T, et al.. Safety and oncologic outcomes of total laparoscopic versus abdominal hysterectomy following diagnostic conization for adenocarcinoma in situ and stage IA1 cervical cancer: a multicenter retrospective study. . 2026. PMID 41617964 · DOI · PMC12932381
- Teoh D, Musa F, Salani R, Huh W, Jimenez E. Diagnosis and Management of Adenocarcinoma in Situ: A Society of Gynecologic Oncology Evidence-Based Review and Recommendations. Obstet Gynecol. 2020. PMID 32168211 · DOI · PMC7098444
- Behera M, Owonikoko TK, Gal AA, Steuer CE, Kim S, Pillai RN, et al.. Lung Adenocarcinoma Staging Using the 2011 IASLC/ATS/ERS Classification: A Pooled Analysis of Adenocarcinoma In Situ and Minimally Invasive Adenocarcinoma. Clin Lung Cancer. 2016. PMID 27137345 · DOI
- Weichert W, Warth A. Early lung cancer with lepidic pattern: adenocarcinoma in situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, and lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2014. PMID 24811831 · DOI
- Borczuk AC. Prognostic considerations of the new World Health Organization classification of lung adenocarcinoma. Eur Respir Rev. 2016. PMID 27903658 · DOI · PMC9487552
- Bogaerts JMA, Steenbeek MP, van Bommel MHD, Bulten J, van der Laak JAWM, de Hullu JA, et al.. Recommendations for diagnosing STIC: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Virchows Arch. 2022. PMID 34850262 · DOI · PMC9023413
- Pinheiro H, Oliveira C, Seruca R, Carneiro F. Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer - pathophysiology and clinical management. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2014. PMID 25439071 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.