Granular cell tumor (GCT), first reported in 1926 by Abrikossoff, is frequently found in the tongue and skin but rarely in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the esophagus. Although GCT had been thought to originate from striated muscle cells, recently it is considered that GCT is derived from Schwann cells which are relatively benign. In 46-year-old male complaining of occasional epigastralgia, esophagogram and endoscopy demonstrated an elevated lesion in the lower esophagus as well as gastric ulcer. Lower esophageal and total gastric resection was performed on June 1, 1988. Most of GCTs are occasionally detected in a mass-screening and most patients are asymptomatic. GCTs are commonly as small as around 10mm in diamater, and tend to be located in the lower esophagus. When GCTs were classified into a slightly elevated, sweet corn, and ture molar shapes, the true molar shape was most commonly seen. In the treatment of GCTs, endoscopic follow-up or polypectomy is recommended for those as small as about 10mm in diameter, but for larger GCTs over 30mm surgical treatment is indicatable.
[1]
J. Soga,et al.
Granular cell tumors of the esophagus: a report of two cases and review of the literature.
,
1985,
The American journal of gastroenterology.
[2]
G. Snow,et al.
Granular cell tumor of the proximal esophagus. A rare disease
,
1985,
Cancer.
[3]
R. Sandler,et al.
Endoscopic removal of a granular cell tumor of the esophagus.
,
1981,
Gastrointestinal endoscopy.
[4]
E. Marquet,et al.
Is schwannoma related to granular cell myoblastoma?
,
1973,
Archives of pathology.
[5]
Raymond Bangle.
A morphological and histochemical study of the granular‐cell myoblastoma
,
1952,
Cancer.
[6]
R. Custer,et al.
On the neurogenesis of so-called granular cell myoblastoma.
,
1949,
American journal of clinical pathology.