Endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal granular cell tumor

Esophageal granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare benign tumor with malignant potential. With wide application of endoscopic techniques, the esophageal GCT discovery rate and treatment strategy has changed. This study was to preliminarily evaluate outcomes of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment for esophageal GCT.

Fourteen patients (eight men, six women; median age, 48.5 years) with esophageal GCT diagnosed and treated by esophageal endoscopy. Esophagoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) techniques were employed in diagnosis and resection.

Esophageal GCTs are tumors which arise from the submucosal layer, and vary in color but with a yellowish color on endoscopy being most common. On EUS, features were homogenous (ten cases) or mildly heterogeneous (four cases) hypoechoic solid pattern originating from the muscularis mucosa (six cases) or submucosal layer (eight cases) of the esophageal wall. Tumors ranged from 4 to 26 mm (mean 12.1 mm). ESD was performed in all patients without complication. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by pathology and immunohistochemical examination (positive for S-100 and vimentin). The en bloc resection rate was 92.9% (13/14) pathologically. Operation time was 25 to 60 minutes, mean 38.2 ± 10.1 minutes. No recurrence was observed during a mean follow-up of 16.6 ± 12.7 (range, 4 to 40) months.

Esophagoscopy and EUS increased the esophageal GCT discovery rate, and its features were summarized. Minimally invasive ESD is feasible and safe for excisional biopsy, providing pathological diagnosis and treatment.