MALIGNANT GRANULAR-CELL TUMOR - REPORT OF A CASE WITH DNA-PLOIDY ANALYSIS

Malignant granular cell tumor is a rare neoplasm that has been reporte d to occur at various sites. Although there are no reliable histologic criteria to differentiate the benign from the malignant form of granu lar cell tumor, in many reported cases cellular pleomorphism and the p resence of mitotic activity suggested an aggressive nature. We report a case of malignant granular cell tumor that involved the subcutaneous tissue in the sacrococcygeal area. The tumor showed cellular atypia o n histologic sections, but mitotic figures were rare. The tumor recurr ed and produced widespread metastasis, resulting in the death of the p atient. DNA flow cytometry demonstrated DNA diploidy, suggesting that such analysis may not be beneficial in predicting the behavior of thes e tumors.