Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity: updated immunohistochemical profile.
BACKGROUND
Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a benign lesion that occurs at different body sites with preponderance to the oral cavity. It is generally believed to be of schwann cell/neural cell origin. We used a large panel of both traditional and recently developed antibodies in an attempt to trace the origin of GCTs on the basis of their immunoprofile.


METHODS
The patients' demographic data and the cytological and architectural features of the lesions were analyzed in a large series of oral GCTs (n = 68). Forty-two lesions were also submitted to a panel of immunohistochemical stains with antibodies against S-100, CD-68 (KP-1 and PG-M1), vimentin, calretinin, NKI/C3, PGP9.5, p75/NGFR and inhibin-alpha.


RESULTS
The tongue was the most common location of oral GCTs (81%). The granular cells demonstrated a wide array of cytological features in terms of cell shape and position of the nucleus. In addition, the lesions showed different architectural patterns, including 'infiltration' with satellite nodules. Interestingly, no recurrences were reported, even in lesions that were not completely excised. Granular cells were usually found to be strongly and diffusely positive for p75, vimentin, calretinin and NKI/C3, inhibin-alpha, PGP9.5, and S-100.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunoreactivity of the granular cells to a broad panel of antibodies that characterize different tissues does not confirm any particular cell type for the histogenetic origin of GCTs. Furthermore, GCTs could be regarded as lesions that reflect a local metabolic or reactive change rather than a true neoplasm.
Vered
Marilena
M
Department of Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. mvered@post.tau.ac.il
Carpenter
William M
WM
Buchner
Amos
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D064032:Calbindin 2; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D048430:Cell Shape; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016586:Granular Cell Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000032:analysis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000032:analysis; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult; D058951:gp100 Melanoma Antigen; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D064032:Calbindin 2; D007265:Inhibins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; D009418:S100 Proteins; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D014746:Vimentin; D058951:gp100 Melanoma Antigen; C576764:CALB2 protein, human; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C484065:NGFR protein, human; C548637:PMEL protein, human; C482860:UCHL1 protein, human; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit