precancers
Pre-tumor cell changes
Precancers are abnormal cells or tissue changes that aren't yet cancer but have the potential to become malignant if left untreated.
Doctors monitor or remove precancers to prevent progression: The biopsy revealed precancers that warranted close follow-up.
Common examples include certain moles, polyps, and cervical dysplasia.
Abnormal tissue formation
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- metaplasiaTissue type transformation
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
- adenomaBenign epithelial tumor
Breast tissue X-ray
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
- sigmoidoscopyLower intestine visual inspection
HPV test · dermoscopy · colposcopy · visual inspection · surveillance · early detection · follow-up · monitoring
Inducing stable genetic changes
- oncogenesCancer-causing genetic sequences
- clonal expansionIdentical daughter cell multiplication
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
- epigeneticsHeritable expression changes, sequence intact
Common sexually transmitted virus
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- sun exposureLight from sky reaching skin
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
heredity · immunocompromised · family history · chronic inflammation · radiation exposure · chemical exposure · age · obesity
Cutting out of tissue
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- electrocauteryElectrical surgical burning tool
- laser therapyTreatment using focused light
watchful waiting · surgical removal · conization · curettage · interferon · 5-fluorouracil · regression · intervention
dysplasia
Abnormal tissue formation
- hyperplasiaExcessive cell multiplication
- metaplasiaTissue type transformation
- neoplasiaAbnormal tissue proliferation
adenoma · atypia · lesion · polyp · colon polyps · moles · keratosis
mammogram
Breast tissue X-ray
- colonoscopyLarge intestine examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
sigmoidoscopy · HPV test · dermoscopy · colposcopy · visual inspection · surveillance · early detection · follow-up · monitoring · imaging
mutagenesis
Inducing stable genetic changes
- oncogenesCancer-causing genetic sequences
- clonal expansionIdentical daughter cell multiplication
- angiogenesisFormation of new vessels
epigenetics · proliferation · pathogenesis · DNA damage · mutation
HPV
Common sexually transmitted virus
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- sun exposureLight from sky reaching skin
- alcoholIntoxicating hydroxyl compound
genetics · heredity · immunocompromised · family history · chronic inflammation · radiation exposure · chemical exposure · age · obesity · diet
excision
Cutting out of tissue
- cryotherapyTreatment using extreme cold
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- electrocauteryElectrical surgical burning tool
laser therapy · watchful waiting · surgical removal · conization · curettage · interferon · 5-fluorouracil · regression · intervention
- precancerous lesionsAbnormal tissue that may become malignant
- precancerous cellsAbnormal tissue risking malignancy