This controversy also depends on the exact CIS in question (e.g., cervical, skin, breast).

For example, carcinoma in situ of the skin, also called Bowen's disease, is the accumulation of dysplastic epidermal cells within the epidermis only, that has failed to penetrate into the deeper dermis.

Some forms of CIS (e.g., colon polyps and polypoid tumours of the bladder) can be removed using an endoscope, without conventional surgical resection.

Dysplasia of the uterine cervix is removed by excision (cutting it out) or by burning with a laser.

Other forms require major surgery, the best known being intraductal carcinoma of the breast (also treated with radiotherapy).