Adenocarcinoma in situ....please only if you know the answer to this..?

Adenocarcinoma in situ (which is a precancer) is the immediate precursor of adenocarcinoma (a cancer). You could certainly argue that stage 0 is a confusing term, but precancer and stage 0 are synonymous.

ETA: @Denise

I think we are in agreement here too :-) It is just a semantic issue. To (most) doctors, a cancer is something that has the capability to metastasise. An in-situ cancer does not have this capability, which is why I prefer to classify it as a pre-cancer. I feel that this distinction is very important in the communication with the patients/lay people. It makes it easier to understand, that if the in situ cancer is gone, there is no way that a metastasis from it will appear later in their lives. But from a patient management perspective the cancer in-situ is an important entity, and I agree that it useful (and correct) to register it. And this registration is also recommended by UICC and WHO, so you are right in reprimanding the doctors you work with.

ETA2:

- Hey look; A wonderful poem from Spree.

- He gets a thumbs up from me.

Doctors only use the term “precancer” with their patients.

Adenocarcinoma in situ is a non-invasive cancer, but it is cancer and it is stage 0.

If this was in the breast chemo would still be recommended.

A “precancer” would be a dysplasia or something along those lines.

EDIT: Whoops. I just read the previous answers and I have to say JLI is a pathologist and I cannot recall if we have ever disagreed. Maybe he can elaborate.

Although I understand where he is coming from, I have this argument all the time with doctors who do not want to do their TNMs so this is my standard stance on the subject in addition to the fact most CIS cases are reportable, but that means nothing to you I know.

Stage 0 cancer is pre-cancer

I would not go to bat against Denise and pathologist JLI.

- - -

Far be it from me to disagree.

Momma didn't raise no dummies like Spree.

T0 N0 M0 is what it be.

Call it what you will and feel free.

How this transfers to survival odds

is what matters to me.