Which of the following best describes the growth pattern of neoplasms?

The growth pattern of neoplasms is best described as growing by infiltration. Neoplasms, which can be benign or malignant tumors, often invade surrounding tissues as they expand. This ability to infiltrate adjacent normal tissue is a characteristic feature of malignant neoplasms (cancers) and is significant because it can make complete surgical removal difficult. The infiltrative growth pattern contributes to the potential for metastasis, where cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.

The other options do not accurately capture the nature of neoplastic growth. While some neoplasms may exhibit random patterns at times, such behavior is not representative of the general growth characteristic associated with neoplasms. Additionally, neoplasms do not typically adopt a uniform spherical shape; their growth can be irregular and varied depending on the tissue type and the biological behavior of the tumor. The idea that neoplasms only grow at designated sites is also misleading, as their infiltrative nature means they can spread beyond their original location, affecting various tissues.