Which term describes autonomous uncoordinated cell growth that can form a mass?

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

Answer: (A)

A neoplasm describes autonomous, uncoordinated cell growth that can form a mass. It happens when cells acquire mutations that let them divide without normal regulation, ignoring the surrounding tissue’s architecture. Because this growth is independent of the usual growth controls, it can persist and expand as a lump. Neoplasms can be benign, remaining localized, or malignant, invading nearby tissues and spreading.

In contrast, hypertrophy is an enlargement of existing cells, increasing tissue size without adding more cells. Hyperplasia is an increase in cell number that is usually in response to a stimulus and remains more organized, not inherently autonomous. Metaplasia is a change from one mature cell type to another and does not primarily reflect uncontrolled growth.