precancerous

adjective pre·can·cer·ous \ (ˌ)prē-ˈkan(t)s-rəs , -ˈkan(t)-sə- \

Updated on: 24 Mar 2018

Definition of precancerous

: tending to become cancerous

a precancerous lesion

See precancerous defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of precancerous from the Web

In the cervix, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to precancerous changes that, left alone, slowly turn malignant.

— marie mccullough, chicagotribune.com, "HPV is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses," 12 Mar. 2018
In the cervix, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to precancerous changes that, left alone, slowly turn malignant.

— marie mccullough, miamiherald, "Oral sex is causing an oral cancer epidemic in men by outwitting natural defenses | Miami Herald," 8 Mar. 2018
When mice, rats and human tissues were exposed to high concentrations of the vapors released by the HeatSticks, researchers reported signs of precancerous changes in the cells that line the respiratory tract.

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Tobacco giant presses its case for a better-for-you cigarette," 25 Jan. 2018
The company said its test had an overall accuracy of 84 to 88 percent for detecting cancer or precancerous growths and a false alarm rate around 3 percent.

— Time, "Scientists Make Progress on Blood Test to Detect the Most Deadly Cancers," 20 Jan. 2018
Cubs play-by-play announcer Pat Hughes has undergone three surgeries due to a precancerous lesion on one of his vocal cords.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "Three throat surgeries later, Cubs announcer Pat Hughes gives voice to health scare that threatened career," 14 Dec. 2017
Only for colorectal cancers has the overall incidence declined, primarily the result of increased screening and removal of precancerous polyps.

— jane e. brody, miamiherald, "The growing toll of our ever-expanding waistlines," 12 Dec. 2017
Polyps are small, precancerous growths on the inside of the colon that grow over time into colon cancer.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Better for your backside: Six facts to know about colonoscopy," 6 Sep. 2017
Even after breast-feeding ends, microscopic changes in the milk-delivery system protect the breast against precancerous cells, Borges says.

— erin blakemore, Washington Post, "Does breast-feeding really decrease my cancer risk?," 15 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'precancerous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.