premalignant

adjective

pre·​ma·​lig·​nant ˌprē-mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce premalignant (audio)

Examples of premalignant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
There is also a trial under way for a therapeutic vaccine treating ductal carcinoma in situ, an early, premalignant form of breast cancer. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 7 July 2023 Staying up to date on cancer screenings and catching malignant or premalignant tumors early in their growth is also crucial. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 9 June 2024 Clear indicators of high risk come from a biopsy showing abnormal growths: proliferative lesions or premalignant lesions in the breast such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ, or LCIS. Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up Overall, colorectal cancer is on the decline, largely because more people over 50 are being screened by colonoscopy, which can prevent cancer by detecting and removing premalignant polyps. Teddy Amenabar, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of premalignant was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near premalignant

Cite this Entry

“Premalignant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premalignant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

premalignant

adjective
pre·​ma·​lig·​nant ˌprē-mə-ˈlig-nənt How to pronounce premalignant (audio)
: tending to become malignant : precancerous
a premalignant condition
One advantage to colonoscopy is that possible cancerous lesions can be biopsied, and premalignant polyps can be removed during the same procedure.Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
A skin condition called actinic keratosis is often a premalignant precursor of squamous cell carcinoma …Simeon Margolis et al., The Johns Hopkins White Papers
premalignancy noun
plural premalignancies
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!