Granular cell tumors of the extremities

Granular cell tumors are uncommon tumors that may arise from various soft tissue and visceral sites. These lesions often are multifocal but, with rare exceptions, are benign. Much of the literature on granular cell tumors is based on case reports mostly in the otolaryngology literature, and most series are limited to histopathologic studies. There are no documented series of cases in the orthopaedic literature. Granular cell tumors do occur in the extremities; thus, patients with a peripheral granular cell tumor may be referred to an orthopaedist. Ten cases of benign granular cell tumor treated at the authors' institution between 1993 and 1999 are reported. Five tumors of the thigh and one tumor of the groin were treated with wide excision, whereas three tumors of the hand and one tumor of the elbow were treated with marginal resection. Although two tumors treated with attempted wide excision had positive margins, none of the tumors have recurred after an average followup of 27 months. The presentation, radiography, histologic findings, and treatment of benign granular cell tumors that distinguish it from other soft tissue lesions are discussed.