<P> These terms are related since they represent the steps of the progression toward cancer: </P> <Ul> <Li> Dysplasia is the earliest form of precancerous lesion recognizable in a biopsy . Dysplasia can be low - grade or high - grade . High - grade dysplasia may also be referred to as carcinoma in situ . </Li> <Li> Invasive carcinoma, usually simply called cancer, has the potential to invade and spread to surrounding tissues and structures, and may eventually be lethal . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Dysplasia is the earliest form of precancerous lesion recognizable in a biopsy . Dysplasia can be low - grade or high - grade . High - grade dysplasia may also be referred to as carcinoma in situ . </Li> <Li> Invasive carcinoma, usually simply called cancer, has the potential to invade and spread to surrounding tissues and structures, and may eventually be lethal . </Li>

Difference between carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma