Congenital granular cell tumor of a newborn: a case report of a rare entity

Abstract

Introduction and importance: A congenital granular cell tumor is an uncommon benign soft tissue tumor in newborns. It occurs mostly as a single tumor, that mainly affects the oral mucosa, especially the maxillary alveolar ridge. The tumor has a female predilection, with the female-to-male ratio being 10:1. A congenital granular cell tumor is believed to be of mesenchymal origin, and its exact etiology remains unclear. Case presentation: In this report, the authors present a case of a congenital granular cell tumor on the maxillary alveolar ridge in a 20-day-old female infant. Due to difficulty with breast-feeding, the surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia, and the intraoral mass was completely resected. A histopathological examination of the specimen led to the diagnosis of a congenital granular cell tumor. Clinical discussion: The congenital gingival granular cell tumor of the newborn is a rare benign tumor. Congenital gingival granular cell tumors are believed to be of mesenchymal origin, and their exact etiology remains unclear. These tumors are usually solitary and present as asymptomatic, firm, mobile, and subcutaneous masses. It is reported that these tumors are found three times more frequently in the maxillary anterior region than in the mandibular region. Conclusion: A congenital granular cell tumor is a rare benign lesion that is found exclusively in newborn infants. The clinical appearance of congenital granular cell tumors may be variable, making it difficult to distinguish them from other tumors. However, histopathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosis. Surgical excision is the most common and effective treatment option, with no recurrence rates.