Granular cell tumor of the tongue

The granular cell tumor has been and still is a debatable lesion in several aspects. The etiology and pathogenesis are still unknown. Granular cell tumors may occur everywhere in the body, but the oral cavity is a favorite location. The majority of the oral lesions are found in the dorsum and the borders of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Seven patients with a granular cell tumor of the tongue are described. The clinical and microscopic findings have been discussed. In all cases an excisional biopsy had been aimed at. In spite of incomplete excision in six out of the seven cases, local recurrences were noticed in only one patient. In one patient "metastatic" occurrence of granular cell tumors was noticed.