Before cancer strikes, most people may experience "precancerous lesions"!

Cancer is relentless. It silences countless vibrant lives, dims countless vibrant lives, and worsens the plight of countless families already struggling.

Unfortunately, there is still no effective cure for most advanced cancers.

But fortunately, there are ways to prevent certain diseases from developing into cancer.

◆ What diseases may develop into cancer?

Here we introduce a "close relative" of cancer: precancerous lesions.

As the name suggests, precancerous lesions refer to the state before certain diseases develop into cancer. While they are not cancer themselves, under the long-term effects of carcinogenic factors, a small percentage of them may develop into cancer.

To give another example, if our body is like a car traveling at high speed, precancerous lesions are like a sudden minor malfunction. If not discovered and addressed promptly, they can become a time bomb, poised to explode at any moment, causing endless consequences.

However, if you can "brake" the car's fault promptly after discovering it—that is, pay attention and treat it at the precancerous stage—you have a chance to avoid the onset of cancer.

◆ Why do precancerous lesions develop in a normal body?

Precancerous lesions may have a genetic background, but they are more often acquired due to the long-term effects of factors such as environmental exposure, chronic irritation, and infection.

The occurrence of hereditary precancerous lesions is closely associated with specific gene mutations. Common examples include familial adenomatous polyposis and neurofibromatosis. These lesions tend to cluster in families due to genetic defects.

If a direct relative is diagnosed with such a hereditary precancerous lesion, it is recommended to consult a specialist promptly. Based on family history, relevant testing and targeted screening can be performed to develop a personalized prevention strategy.

Acquired precancerous lesions are generally related to unhealthy lifestyle habits, infection, or chronic inflammation. Once an acquired precancerous lesion is detected or corresponding symptoms appear, it is important to take it seriously and receive active treatment to prevent cancer from developing.

◆ What are some common acquired precancerous lesions?

What are the symptoms of each?

Based on the location of the lesion, acquired precancerous lesions can be broadly divided into digestive system precancerous lesions, reproductive system and breast precancerous lesions, and skin and mucosal precancerous lesions.

01. Digestive System Precancerous Lesions

• Colorectal Adenoma

Also known as "adenomatous polyps." Adenoma tissue is richly vascularized, and erosion or ulceration of the surface can cause bleeding. Therefore, symptoms such as blood in the stool (either bright blood or black) or abdominal pain should be taken seriously, and prompt medical attention is recommended.

Colorectal adenomas can be diagnosed through colonoscopy combined with a biopsy. Once confirmed, prompt endoscopic or surgical resection is generally recommended to reduce the risk of progression to colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that colorectal adenomas ≥2 cm in diameter have a higher risk of developing into colorectal cancer (up to approximately 50%). Within a certain range, the larger the adenoma, the higher the risk of cancer.

• Chronic atrophic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia

This condition can easily lead to persistent or progressive gastric mucosal lesions, which are precancerous lesions of gastric cancer. If you experience frequent stomach pain, a gastroscopy is recommended, and a biopsy can be performed if necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

• Ulcerative colitis

This is an inflammatory bowel disease that can develop into colon cancer due to recurrent ulcers and mucosal hyperplasia. Colonoscopy combined with a biopsy is the primary method for definitive diagnosis.

• Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a manifestation of various chronic liver diseases that have progressed to a certain stage and can increase the risk of liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis B can develop into cirrhosis if not treated properly. Therefore, regular follow-up monitoring is recommended for patients with chronic liver disease.

02. Reproductive system and precancerous lesions of the breast

• Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

This abnormal proliferation of cervical epithelial cells is closely associated with persistent infection with high-risk HPV and is a precancerous lesion of the cervix.

CIN is divided into three grades based on the degree of cellular atypia:

• CIN I (mild atypical hyperplasia),
• CIN II (moderate),
• CIN III (severe, including carcinoma in situ).

CIN II and III carry a higher risk of progression to cervical cancer.

Common screening methods include cervical cytology (such as TCT) and HPV testing, with a cervical biopsy required for confirmation. Treatment depends on the grade, and timely intervention can effectively prevent cervical cancer.

• Ductal atypical hyperplasia

This is a pathological change in breast tissue, most commonly seen in women around 40 years of age. Common symptoms include breast lumps, breast pain, or tenderness. This lesion carries the risk of developing breast cancer and requires close monitoring and follow-up.

03. Skin and mucosal precancerous lesions

• Leukoplakia

Commonly found in mucous membranes such as the mouth and genitals, it presents as white patches or patches with malignant potential, potentially developing into squamous cell carcinoma. For example, leukoplakia of the throat may develop into laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

◆ Misconceptions about "Precancerous Lesions"

First, precancerous lesions are not cancer. Therefore, they should not be equated with cancer and are not that scary.

Second, there's no need to overestimate the scope of precancerous lesions, nor should we misdiagnose symptoms or conditions that aren't precancerous and cause excessive anxiety. For example, common skin moles (non-junctional or dysplastic moles) and simple peptic ulcers are not precancerous lesions.

In fact, most precancerous lesions progress slowly, and only some may develop into cancer if left untreated for a long time. Therefore, while maintaining necessary vigilance (such as regular monitoring and timely intervention), there's no need to panic.

Conclusion:

1. Precancerous lesions are lesions that present a potential risk of cancer due to abnormal cell proliferation or morphological changes. If left untreated for a long time, they may develop into cancer.
2. The development of precancerous lesions is associated with genetic susceptibility and is often linked to long-term stimulation from unhealthy lifestyle habits (such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet), chronic infections (such as human papillomavirus infection and Helicobacter pylori infection), or chronic inflammatory diseases (such as chronic atrophic gastritis and ulcerative colitis).
3. As a close relative of cancer, once diagnosed, it is crucial to take it seriously and actively cooperate with doctors for examinations and treatment to prevent future problems.