Multifocal granular cell tumor of the esophagus and proximal stomach with infiltrative pattern - A case report and review of the literature

The granular cell tumor is a solitary painless nodule that arises most comm only on the skin or the tongue. The vast majority are benign. Approximately 5% to 9% of granular cell tumors have been reported in the gastrointestina l tract, most commonly in the esophagus. We report a case of a 45-year-old African American woman with multifocal granular cell tumors of the esophagu s and proximal stomach. Two lesions within the distal esophagus and proxima l stomach were characteristic nodular granular cell tumors. Within the mid esophagus there was poorly defined transmural involvement by benign-appeari ng granular cells. This pattern of infiltration by benign cells is uncharac teristic. A review of the literature with emphasis on the determination of malignancy is also presented.