Granular cell tumor: report of 8 intraoral cases

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is an uncommon neoplasm of controversial origin that can appear in any corporal localization, including the orofacial region. Although aggressive and malignant variants of this neoplasm have been described, most of GCTs are benign. In spite of the amount of research, the etiology of this neoplasm remains unclear and its histogenesis and its possible muscular, connective or neural origin has been broadly debated. In this paper 8 oral cases are presented, corresponding to 5 women and 3 men, with a mean age of 36.1 years old and a mean time of evolution of the lesions of 8.3 months. The most common localization was the tongue (75%). In all the cases a resection with safety margins of the lesions was carried out under local anesthesia. The samples were fixed and processed for histopathological study. The main clinicopathologic and diagnostic features of this neoplasm are reviewed and discussed.