adj. preceding the formation of a benign or malignant tumour (neoplasm). Preneoplastic lesions have the potential to give rise to tumours at that site. For example, mammary ductal epithelial *hyperplasia can give rise to *ductal carcinoma in situ. Preneoplastic conditions may result in tumours at that site or elsewhere. For example, ulcerative colitis predisposes to the development of colorectal *adenocarcinoma and *cholangiocarcinoma.
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