From the Guidelines
Circumscribed refers to a well-defined lesion or growth with clear borders that separate it from surrounding tissue. In medical contexts, such as the characterization of tumor margins in soft tissue sarcoma, circumscribed is used to describe a tumor that has a well-defined boundary, as opposed to an infiltrative tumor that has irregular or indistinct borders 1. Some key points to consider when understanding the term circumscribed include:
- It implies a clear demarcation between the lesion or growth and the surrounding tissue
- It is often used in pathology reports to describe the characteristics of a tumor
- The presence of a well-circumscribed tumor margin can be an important factor in determining the prognosis and treatment of certain types of cancer, as noted in the clinical practice guidelines for soft tissue sarcoma 1
- The term can also be used in other contexts, such as geometry, to describe a figure that is drawn around another figure, but in medical contexts, it is primarily used to describe the characteristics of lesions or growths.
From the Research
Definition of Circumscribed
- The term "circumscribed" refers to a lesion or tumor that is well-defined and has a clear boundary, distinguishing it from surrounding tissue [(2,3)].
- In medical contexts, circumscribed lesions are often characterized by their distinct margins and lack of infiltration into adjacent tissues [(2,3)].
Characteristics of Circumscribed Lesions
- Circumscribed lesions can be benign or malignant, and their characteristics can vary depending on the type of tumor or lesion [(2,3)].
- Well-circumscribed breast masses, for example, are often benign lesions such as cysts, fibroadenomas, or intramammary lymph nodes, but can also be malignant in some cases 2.
- In the context of brain tumors, well-circumscribed intra-axial CNS tumors typically correspond to WHO grades I and II, and are often treated with surgery alone 3.
Importance of Characterizing Circumscribed Lesions
- Accurate characterization of circumscribed lesions is crucial for diagnosis and treatment, as it can help differentiate between benign and malignant lesions [(2,3)].
- Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can play a significant role in characterizing circumscribed lesions and guiding treatment decisions 2.
- The presence or absence of residual lesion after biopsy can also be an important factor in determining the management of patients with certain types of cancer, such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 4.