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

While esophagitis itself does not directly cause cancer, the chronic inflammation can in some cases lead to Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition that can increase the higher risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2026

The blood test also identified advanced pancreatic dysplasia—the presence of a precancerous condition in the pancreas—more than 64 percent of the time in people with high-risk pancreatic cysts. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 16 Sep. 2026

Almost all colorectal cancers begin as precancerous polyps that can be identified and removed via colonoscopy. — Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

Colonoscopy remains the only all-in-one test that can both detect and remove precancerous polyps and identify cancer early, according to Kupfer. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 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