Multifocal granular cell tumor of the esophagus: A case report

A 35-year-old male patient who complained of dyspepsia underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy which revealed two yellowish, smooth-surfaced polypoid lesions located at the 36.cm (10 mm) and 38. cm (7 mm) of the esophagus. The lesions were diagnosed as granular cell tumor (GCT) on histologic examination. Endoscopic snare polypectomy was performed after submucosal injection of adrenalin and isotonic saline for large one and two polyps were removed successfully without any complication. Granular cell tumors are rare tumors of neural origin usually located in the dermis and subcutis of the thoracal skin and tongue. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract accounts for 5% to 9% of the cases, one third of all occuring in the esophagus. Within the esophagus the most common location seems to be distal. Although they are usually asymptomatic and measuring less than 2 cm in greatest diameter, the most common complaints are dysphagia, abdominal pain and chest pain if symptoms do occur. In the literature, there is no agreement in the therapy of esophageal GCT despite the risk of malignancy, although a rare occurence. In the English literature, the second case of a multifocal GCT of the esophagus treated successfully by endoscopic resection is presented here. [Turk J Cancer 2002;32(3):116-122]