precancerous

adjective

pre·​can·​cer·​ous (ˌ)prē-ˈkan(t)s-rəs How to pronounce precancerous (audio)
-ˈkan(t)-sə-
: tending to become cancerous
a precancerous lesion

Examples of precancerous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For those eligible for health screenings like a colonoscopy, physicians could catch and remove precancerous polyps in addition to checking for cancer already present. David Oliver, USA Today, 9 May 2025 The benefit of the colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy over the CT colonography is that if a precancerous polyp is seen, it could be removed during the procedure to prevent it from developing into cancer in the future. Katia Hetter, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 For advanced precancerous lesions, Cologuard Plus has a sensitivity of 43.4 percent. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 12 Mar. 2025 The return of precancerous tissue in 2023, and the subsequent spike in medical surveillance, has definitely weighed on me. Clea Shearer, Flow Space, 14 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for precancerous

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precancerous was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Precancerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precancerous. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

precancerous

adjective
pre·​can·​cer·​ous -ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce precancerous (audio)
: tending to become cancerous : premalignant
a precancerous lesion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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