Granular cell tumors of the head and neck

Granular cell tumors have a predilection to occur in the head and neck. Thirty granular cell tumors have been diagnosed during the past 26 years at UCLA; 13 of which presented in the head and neck. Of these 13 cases, 10 were correctly diagnosed on the primary pathological specimen, which included one fine-needle aspirate and three frozen sections. Four cases required diagnostic confirmation with electron microscopy or histochemistry. The tongue accounted for more than one third of the cases. Three lesions exhibited locally aggressive behavior, but none of the tumors metastasized. Initial treatment was wide local excision in all but one case; recurrence was noted in two cases. Fine-needle aspiration can be used to provide preoperative diagnosis of granular cell tumors. Wide local excision with histologically confirmed clear margins provides definitive treatment.