Granular Cell Tumor of the Larynx in a Six-Year-Old Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Granular cell tumors (granular cell myoblastomas) are uncommon neoplasms in the adult population, occurring predominantly in the head and neck and most frequently in the tongue. Laryngeal presentations are unusual, and granular cell tumors of the larynx in children are extremely rare, with a total of 19 cases reported in the literature in children under the age of] 7 years. We report an additional case of a laryngeal granular cell tumor, in a six-year-old boy, and discuss the clinical, histologic, ultrastructural and therapeutic aspects of these neoplasms.

Management of pediatric airway granular cell tumor: Role of laryngotracheal reconstruction

“…Pediatric laryngeal GCT is an extremely rare entity. Ruth et al reported 19 cases in patients younger than 17 years Holland et al [9]. In this case the second tumor had never been visualized in this patient despite adequate laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and MRI 4 months prior to its discovery.…”

“…Malignant transformation has only been characterized in the adult population at a rate of 1-2% [3]. When these tumors become malignant they tend to recur locally with rapid growth, are usually larger than 5 cm, and metastasize to local lymph nodes and lungs [3,9].…”

Childhood granular cell tumors: Two case reports

“…Approximately 20 cases have been reported in children less than 17 years of age [1][2][3]5,[19][20][21][22][23]. Only one pediatric case has been described with multifocal GCT involving the trachea [4].…”

“…Since then, one other case has been reported [2]. Pediatric cases with laryngeal lesions are slightly more frequent, with approximately 20 patients in the literature [3]. In general, solitary lesions are present, but GCTs may also be multifocal.…”

Granular cell tumor mimicking a subglottic hemangioma

“…Subglottic hemangioma is the most frequently occurring lesion. Granular cell tumor (GCT) of the upper airway is very rare in children, as only a few cases have been reported in the literature [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In a small percentage of cases, the tumor is multifocal [1,7].…”