precancerous

adjective

pre·​can·​cer·​ous (ˌ)prē-ˈkan(t)s-rəs How to pronounce precancerous (audio)
-ˈkan(t)-sə-
: tending to become cancerous
a precancerous lesion

Examples of precancerous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Actinic keratosis is a type of precancerous sun damage most common in older individuals. Marisa Garshick, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025 On another occasion, Shields had precancerous cells removed from her cervix but was not informed that the procedure would potentially affect her ability to get pregnant. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025 The biopsy samples were sent to pathology for testing and found to be precancerous. Harris Meyer, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024 There are about 200,000 cases of pre-cervical cancer in the U.S. a year, meaning that one in six women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with precancerous material in their cervix at some point in their life, Pierce said. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for precancerous

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of precancerous was in 1879

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Cite this Entry

“Precancerous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/precancerous. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

precancerous

adjective
pre·​can·​cer·​ous -ˈkan(t)s-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce precancerous (audio)
: tending to become cancerous : premalignant
a precancerous lesion
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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