The granular cell tumor (GCT) or Abrikossoff tumor is a neurogenic tumor often benign with a predominant cervicofacial localization. The mean age of onset ranges between 40 and 60 years of age. Female patients are twice more affected. It is a rare tumor (0.019 to 0.03% of all tumors). The prognosis is usually favorable after surgical excision. The histological aspect is usually specific. Nevertheless, the tumor may be mistaken for a malignant one, especially in case of shallow biopsy. The neurogenic markers and staining by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) help to make the diagnosis. The malignant forms with typical recurrence and metastases are extremely rare and require a wide excision.

Immunohistochemical expression of Galectin-3 and HBME-1 in granular cell tumors: a new finding.Histol Histopathol. 2008 Sep;23(9):1127-30.

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively rare neoplasm, usually located in the upper aerodigestive tract, skin and soft tissue. Because of its uncertain histogenesis, GCT has been the object of many immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies that have suggested a Schwann cell origin. Our recent observation of a case of GCT immunoreactive for Galectin-3 and HBME-1 led us to further investigate the immunohistochemical profile of these neoplasms. We evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of the traditional markers for GCT (S-100, CD68) along with new markers (Galectin-3, HBME-1, Calretinina and Inhibin-alpha) in 22 granular cell tumors. Our results showed, in all cases, a constant diffuse positivity for S-100 protein, CD68 and Galectin-3. HBME-1 was positive in 95% of cases. The present study gives a new immunophenotypic profile for GCT, which could help pathologists in distinguishing morphologically ambiguous granular lesions in unusual sites.