pre-cancerous
Not yet cancerous
Pre-cancerous describes cells or tissue showing abnormal changes that may develop into cancer if left untreated.
A doctor might remove a pre-cancerous mole or recommend monitoring pre-cancerous lesions.
The term signals heightened risk, not certainty: The biopsy revealed pre-cancerous cells, so we'll need to do follow-up screenings.
Also spelled precancerous.
Abnormal tissue formation
- lesionArea of pathological change
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
polyp · metaplasia · cytology · neoplasm · mole · colon polyp
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- medical imagingCreating pictures inside bodies
- Pap smearCancer screening via cervical cells
colonoscopy · mammogram · dermoscopy · endoscopy · histology · early detection · tissue sample · follow-up
Permanent DNA alteration
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- UV exposureContact with ultraviolet light
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
HPV · hepatitis · asbestos · obesity · alcohol · inflammation · heredity · family history
UV-blocking skin cream
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- lifestyle modificationAdjusting personal habits deliberately
- dietCustomary food consumption
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
checkup · HPV vaccine · smoking cessation · exercise · protective clothing · risk reduction · awareness · early intervention
dysplasia
Abnormal tissue formation
- lesionArea of pathological change
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
adenoma · polyp · metaplasia · cytology · neoplasm · mole · colon polyp
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
- medical imagingCreating pictures inside bodies
Pap smear · colonoscopy · mammogram · dermoscopy · endoscopy · histology · early detection · tissue sample · follow-up · monitoring
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- UV exposureContact with ultraviolet light
radiation · HPV · hepatitis · asbestos · obesity · alcohol · inflammation · heredity · family history · chemical exposure
sunscreen
UV-blocking skin cream
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- lifestyle modificationAdjusting personal habits deliberately
- dietCustomary food consumption
antioxidants · checkup · HPV vaccine · smoking cessation · exercise · protective clothing · risk reduction · awareness · early intervention
cancer, cancerous, cancers, precancer, carcinoma, carcinogenic, carcinogen, carcinogens, carcinomas