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
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.
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 25 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
precancerous
adjective
pre·can·cer·ous
-ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs
: tending to become cancerous : premalignant
a precancerous lesion
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share