An axillary granular cell tumor: A rare neoplasm at an unusual site

Issam Msakni,Faten Gargouri,Aya Khemir

doi:10.7241/ourd.20212.19

Abstract

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare neoplasm occurring usually in submucosal and subcutaneous tissues anywhere in the body, affecting mainly the head and neck. GCTs at unusual anatomic sites, such as the breast or the axillary extension, could be taken for invasive carcinoma. We report the case of a 30-year-old male who presented himself with an axillary nodule. A physical examination revealed a firm and painless subcutaneous tumor on ulcerated skin. Lymphoma and lymph node metastasis were suspected. An imaging survey was negative outside the axillary nodule. The tumor was surgically removed. A microscopic examination showed the typical features of a benign GCT. Surgical margins were negative. No recurrence has been observed within a 6-month follow-up period. A GCT can mimic a malignancy since it presents itself as an axillary nodule, and requires complete surgical resection with clear margins.

Highlights

CASE REPORTGranular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare [1,2,3,4,5,6], first described by Abrikossoff in 1926 [7]
The breast and axillary extension are unusual sites affected by GCTs in almost 5–8% of cases [5,6,13,17,18]
Malignancy is suspected in cases at unusual anatomic sites, rapidly growing masses more than 5 cm in diameter, and skin ulcerations [1,5,6,10,12]

Summary

Introduction

CASE REPORTGranular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare [1,2,3,4,5,6], first described by Abrikossoff in 1926 [7]. Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare [1,2,3,4,5,6], first described by Abrikossoff in 1926 [7]. Cases of GCTs of the digestive tract, back, and vulva have been reported as well [1,3,4,11,14,15,16]. GCTs may develop at unusual anatomic sites and can, be taken for other tumors, essentially malignant. The breast and axillary extension are unusual sites affected by GCTs in almost 5–8% of cases [5,6,13,17,18].

Results

Conclusion