Granular Cell Tumor of Rectum: A Very Rare Entity

Abstract

Granular cell tumors are predominantly benign, occurring more commonly in women, with about 10% developing in the gastrointestinal tract. Rectal location of this tumor is very rare. We herein report one such case of a 61-year-old man with granular cell tumor in the rectum who underwent endoscopic curative resection.

A Rare Granular Cell Tumor with a Center Ulcer of the Rectum

“…We searched on PubMed for cases related to rectal GCT, which were published after the year 2000, using the phrase "granular cell tumor and rectum." We found only six case reports and 13 patients (Table 1) [1,[5][6][7][8][9]. Rectal GCT was more common in men than in women (ratio 12 : 2; including our patient).…”

“…Most GCTs are benign and are fortuitously found. However, less than 2% of them can be malignant [1]. If the tumor size is greater than 4 cm and there is ulceration, cellular necrosis, spindling, pleomorphism, increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, large nucleoli, and increased mitotic activity, the potential for malignancy will be high [7,10].…”

“…Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a soft tissue neoplasm that arises from Schwann cells. It is usually benign and most commonly found in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal tract [1]. About less than 11% of GCTs are incidentally found in the gastrointestinal tract, where they are most commonly found in the esophagus, followed by the duodenum and stomach [2].…”

Colonic Granular Cell Tumor: An Endoscopic and Histopathologic Review with Case Illustration

“…They are most commonly found in the oral cavity (40%), skin and subcutaneous tissue (30%), breast (15%), and respiratory tract (15%). Gastrointestinal GCTs are rare (8%), and predominantly affect the esophagus, followed by the stomach and duodenum [ 2 ]. Of all colonic GCTs, approximately 86% arise in the ascending colon, with GCTs of the rectum being the rarest [ 2 ].…”

“…Gastrointestinal GCTs are rare (8%), and predominantly affect the esophagus, followed by the stomach and duodenum [ 2 ]. Of all colonic GCTs, approximately 86% arise in the ascending colon, with GCTs of the rectum being the rarest [ 2 ]. Though GCTs can present at any age, its peak incidence occurs in the fourth and sixth decades of life, with a slight female predilection.…”