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
Regular screening plays a key role in identifying and removing precancerous polyps and early-stage cancers, when treatment is most effective.
—
Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
These and other screenings can help catch cancer or even precancerous growths as early as possible.
—Richard Goldberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
But its sensitivity for detecting precancerous growths in the colon was much lower, at 13%.
—Nicole Cobler, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
In many ways, the online community has helped support me through some of my darkest days—like when doctors found precancerous cells on my tongue 14-months after the first surgery.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precancerous
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Adaira Landry, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
These and other screenings can help catch cancer or even precancerous growths as early as possible.
—Richard Goldberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
But its sensitivity for detecting precancerous growths in the colon was much lower, at 13%.
—Nicole Cobler, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025
In many ways, the online community has helped support me through some of my darkest days—like when doctors found precancerous cells on my tongue 14-months after the first surgery.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for precancerous
Cite this Entry
“Precancerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precancerous. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
precancerous
adjective
pre·can·cer·ous
-ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs
: tending to become cancerous : premalignant
a precancerous lesion
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