precancerous

adjective

pre·​can·​cer·​ous (ˌ)prē-ˈkan(t)s-rəs 

-ˈkan(t)-sə-

: tending to become cancerous

a precancerous lesion

Examples of precancerous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That revved up tumor-eliminating T cells and a year later, colonoscopies showed fewer precancerous growths and no advanced polyps, the MD Anderson team reported in Nature Medicine. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026

Follow-up care at the now-familiar UCSF confirmed severe precancerous dysplasia, or abnormal cells that, if left untreated, could develop into cancer. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 July 2026

If the test result is positive, a follow-up colonoscopy is needed to confirm cancer or precancerous growths. — Amber Raiken, Verywell Health, 30 July 2026

Then, the lab analyzes the blood to scan for signs of high-risk precancerous polyps. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for precancerous

• cancerous

Medical Definition

precancerous

adjective

pre·​can·​cer·​ous -ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs 

: tending to become cancerous : premalignant

a precancerous lesion