precancerous
Abnormal but benign
Precancerous describes cells or tissue that show abnormal changes suggesting they may develop into cancer if left untreated.
A precancerous lesion or growth is not yet malignant but warrants monitoring or removal: The biopsy revealed precancerous cells in her cervix.
The term appears frequently in dermatology and oncology screenings.
Abnormal tissue formation
- lesionArea of pathological change
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
- polypFleshy membrane projection
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
atypia · metaplasia · hyperplasia · abnormality · epithelium · cellular · mutation · proliferation
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- mammogramBreast tissue X-ray
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
gastroscopy · ultrasound · MRI · CT scan · pathology · cytology · histology · genetic testing
UV-blocking skin cream
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- nutritionBodily use of food
- exerciseActivity for fitness
fiber · abstinence · prophylaxis · lifestyle modification · HPV vaccine · weight management · protective clothing · risk reduction
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
concern · stress · vigilance · health anxiety · waiting · diagnosis · prognosis · family history
Cancer-promoting agent
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- sun exposureLight from sky reaching skin
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
HPV · hepatitis · asbestos · obesity · inflammation · chronic disease · immunosuppression · heredity
Not harmful or threatening
- watchful waitingMonitoring before acting
- regressionReturn to former state
- progressionSequential forward movement
- treatmentCare for an ailment
excision · ablation · cryotherapy · removal · intervention · follow-up · outcome · reversible
dysplasia
Abnormal tissue formation
neoplasia · atypia · metaplasia · hyperplasia · abnormality · epithelium · cellular · mutation · proliferation · morphology
biopsy
Tissue sample for diagnosis
- screeningEvaluative selection process
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- mammogramBreast tissue X-ray
endoscopy · gastroscopy · ultrasound · MRI · CT scan · pathology · cytology · histology · genetic testing · HPV test
sunscreen
UV-blocking skin cream
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
- vaccinationAdministered immunity booster
- nutritionBodily use of food
exercise · fiber · abstinence · prophylaxis · lifestyle modification · HPV vaccine · weight management · protective clothing · risk reduction · chemoprevention
worry
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
apprehension · concern · stress · vigilance · health anxiety · waiting · diagnosis · prognosis · family history · genetic risk
carcinogen
Cancer-promoting agent
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- sun exposureLight from sky reaching skin
radiation · HPV · hepatitis · asbestos · obesity · inflammation · chronic disease · immunosuppression · heredity · genetics
benign
Not harmful or threatening
- watchful waitingMonitoring before acting
- regressionReturn to former state
- progressionSequential forward movement
treatment · excision · ablation · cryotherapy · removal · intervention · follow-up · outcome · reversible · treatable
- medical resultspositive, negative, normal, abnormal, inconclusive
- cytologycytology, Pap test, cell division, cytoplasm, chromosome
precancerouscancerous
Having malignant tumors
malignant · metastatic · advanced cancer · carcinoma · neoplastic
precanceroushealthy
In good physical condition
normal · benign · noncancerous · unremarkable · nonmalignant
- precancerous lesionsAbnormal tissue that may become malignant
- precancerous cellsAbnormal tissue risking malignancy