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

Effective screening can detect precancerous changes years before cancer develops. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

While any test is better than no test, the American Cancer Society recommends the primary HPV test that can more reliably detect precancerous changes. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 8 Dec. 2025

That includes detecting some precancerous polyps that grow on the wall of the colon and may develop into cancer. —Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Routine screening test starting at age 45 can find precancerous polyps that may be removed before turning into cancer. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Nov. 2025

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