title: Four cases of patients with gastrointestinal granular cell tumors.
abstract: We present four cases of gastrointestinal granular cell tumors (GCT) with a literature review. Gastrointestinal granular cell tumors, a benign neural tumor thought to arise from Schwann cells, can occur in several areas, including the gastrointestinal tract. Studies suggest that endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice for esophageal GCTs if they are small in size (< 2 cm) and do not involve the muscularis propria. GCTs are malignant less than 2% of the time. Although most GCTs are benign and can be followed endoscopically without resection, the malignant potential warrants evaluation with endoscopic ultrasound for possible endoscopic or surgical resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Medical College of Georgia 1120 15th Street, BBR2538, Augusta, GA 30912-3120, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Ayaz J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
authors.forename: Jeffrey R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sherman M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Schade
authors.forename: Urias
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cuartas-Hoyos
mesh_terms: D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D019160:Endosonography; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016586:Granular Cell Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*