Which term describes autonomous growth forming a mass?

• A. Neoplasm
• B. Hyperplasia
• C. Metaplasia
• D. Aplasia

Answer: (A)

Autonomous, mass-forming growth describes a neoplasm. A neoplasm is a clonal proliferation that escapes normal growth controls, so it grows independently of the body’s regulatory signals and typically forms a discrete lump. This distinguishes it from hyperplasia, which is an increased number of cells driven by normal signals and feedback and may not create an autonomous mass. Metaplasia involves a change from one differentiated cell type to another as an adaptive process, not a new, autonomous growth. Aplasia is the failure of development of tissue or organ, not an overgrowth. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant, but the defining feature is autonomous, abnormal growth forming a mass.