Which of the following terms refers to a growth that is potentially harmful and can worsen over time?

The term that refers to a growth that is potentially harmful and can worsen over time is malignant. Malignant growths are characterized by their ability to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis. This destructive behavior distinguishes malignant tumors from benign ones, which do not invade nearby tissues or spread and are generally considered non-cancerous. Malignant tumors can lead to serious health issues because they can disrupt normal bodily functions and pose significant risks to the patient.

The other terms do not describe harmful growths in the same way. Benign refers to growths that are generally harmless and do not spread or invade. Stable suggests that the growth is not changing significantly over time, and fibrous pertains to a type of tissue rather than indicating the behavior of a growth in terms of malignancy. Thus, malignant is the appropriate term for describing a growth that poses a potential threat and may progress adversely.