National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Granular cell tumor


Other Names:
Giant granulocellular Abrikosov's tumor; Malignant variant of Abrikosov's tumor; Abrikosoff's granulous cell tumor; Giant granulocellular Abrikosov's tumor; Malignant variant of Abrikosov's tumor; Abrikosoff's granulous cell tumor; Abrikosoff's tumor; Abrikosov’s tumor See More
Categories:
Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are soft tissue tumors that can occur anywhere in the body. They are thought to arise from the cells that surround and insulate the nerve cells in our body (Schwann cells). Most granular cell tumors are benign (non-cancerous), although some may be locally aggressive. Less than 2% are malignant (cancerous), but these are aggressive and often are associated with a poor prognosis.[1] GCTs affect females more often than males and usually present as a solitary painless mass. A few individuals have multiple GCTs.[2] In most cases, these tumors are located in the skin of the head and neck, especially inside the mouth (70%), the tongue being the most common site. They may also occur in the breast, heart, pituitary gland, stomach, esophagus, genitalia, and upper respiratory tract.[3][4] GCTs may be  part of some genetic syndromes, such as LEOPARD syndrome and neurofibromatosis. Complete surgical removal of the tumor is usually curative, but in some cases the tumors may recur.[4]
Last updated: 10/25/2016

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Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The American Cancer Society provides more information on Granular cell tumor.
  • DermNet NZ is an online resource about skin diseases developed by the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated. DermNet NZ provides information about this condition.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Granular cell tumor. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Osipov VO. Granular Cell Tumors. Medscape Reference. September 8, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/282430-overview.
  2. Granular Cell Tumor. NCI Methathesaurus. https://ncim.nci.nih.gov/ncimbrowser/pages/concept_details.jsf?dictionary=NCI%20MetaThesaurus&code=C0085167&type=properties.
  3. Thumallapally N, Ibrahim U, Kesavan M, Chang Q, Opitz L, Dhar M & Andrawes S. Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Cureus. September 14, 2016; 8(9):e782. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5065346/.
  4. Richmond AM, La Rosa FG & Said S. Granular cell tumor presenting in the scrotum of a pediatric patient: a case report and review of the literature. J Med Case Rep. June 4, 2016; 10(1):161. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4893259/.