preterminal
adjective
pre·ter·mi·nal (ˌ)prē-ˈtərm-nəl 
-ˈtər-mə-
: occurring or being in the period prior to death
preterminal cancer
a preterminal patient
Word History
First Known Use
1947, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
preterminal
adjective
pre·ter·mi·nal -ˈtərm-nəl, -ən-ᵊl
1
: occurring or being in the period prior to death
preterminal cancer
a preterminal patient
2
: situated or occurring anterior to an end (as of a nerve)
preterminal axons