precancerous

American  

[pree-kan-ser-uhs] / priˈkæn sər əs /

adjective

1. showing pathological changes that may be preliminary to malignancy.

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precancerous British  

adjective

1. (esp of cells) displaying characteristics that may develop into cancer

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Etymology

Origin of precancerous

1880–85; pre- ( def. ) + cancerous ( def. )

Example Sentences

Cervical-cancer rates in the U.S. have dropped significantly since the 1970s thanks to widespread screening for precancerous cells and the rollout of the HPV vaccine.

From The Wall Street Journal

The study included 250 adults considered at higher risk for colorectal cancer, either due to known risk factors or because they had previously had a precancerous polyp removed.

From Science Daily

Earlier research from the Fuchs lab showed that precancerous skin stem cells can become dependent on circulating serine and that limiting serine in the diet helps stop these cells from turning cancerous.

From Science Daily

The fight Lee is referring to is her diagnosis nine years ago of ductal carcinoma in situ, a precancerous condition that can lead to malignant breast cancer.

From Salon

A comprehensive study published in Nature Medicine shows that the test detects significantly more cancers and precancerous stages.

From Science Daily