Granular cell myoma and schwannoma: fine structural and immunohistochemical study

We present the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical findings of two granular cell tumors of different histogenesis: a mediastinal granular cell schwannoma, and an uterine granular cell leiomyoma. Ultrastructurally the mediastinal tumor showed granular cell changes of the Schwann cells which were reactive for S-100 protein and Leu 7 antigen, but not for actin, desmin, CEA, EMA, or cytokeratin. Ultrastructural study of the uterine lesion demonstrated smooth muscle cells with only a few "autophagic" facuoles to cells nearly replaced by lysosomes. Immunohistochemically this tumor showed reactivity for actin, desmin, and Leu 7 antigen, but was S-100 protein, CEA, EMA, and cytokeratin negative.