Malignant Granular Cell Tumor of the Esophagus

Abstract

Malignant granular cell tumor of the esophagus found in a 70‐year‐old female was reported. Microscopically, the tumor showed a variety of the histology from compact proliferation of polygonal granular cells in pseudo‐epitheliomatous pattern to plexiform proliferation of elongated granular and fibroblastic cells in neuroflbromatous pattern, and the tumor cells frequently contained eosinophilic globules in the cytoplasm. Histochemically, argyrophilic neurofibrils in the stroma and argyrophilic cytoplasmic processes or grains were seen. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed positive reaction with S–100 protein (S–100), but all reactions with myoglobin (MG), desmin (DM), fibronectin (FN), creatinine phosphokinase–mm (CPK), factor gthrelated antigen (F8RA), alpha–1–antitrypsin (AIAT), alpha–1–anti–chymotrypsin (AIACT), keratin (KN), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were negative. Electron microscopy revealed that the tumor cells had typical lysosomal granules filled with proteinaceous electron dense materials and fine membrane‐bound particles sized 15 to 45 nm resembling virus or neurosecretory granule.

Rectal Granular‐cell Tumor Difficult to Distinguish From Carcinoid Tumor

“…reported that the rate of malignant transformation of GCT was extremely low (2%) 8 . In Japan, four patients with malignant GCT of the esophagus have been reported; 9–12 however, malignant transformation of colonic GCT has yet to be documented. Malignant transformation of GCT is often associated with an ulcer on the tumor surface and is histopathologically characterized by atypia of nuclei and severe infiltration of lymphocytes into the tumor stroma.…”