title: Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor: A Benign Tumor or an Insidious Cause for Concern?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Esophageal granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, often benign tumors of neurogenic origin. GCTs most frequently occur in the skin and subcutaneous tissues but are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in 6%-10% of cases, with the distal two-thirds of the esophagus being the most common site. Owing to the insidious nature of GCTs, presentation is typically asymptomatic. In fact, GCTs are often discovered incidentally during investigation of other GI disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 36-year-old white male who had a 2.3 × 2.0-cm submucosal mass of the midesophagus found during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at an outside hospital for workup of chronic diarrhea. He was referred to us for further evaluation that led to a diagnosis of a large esophageal GCT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the rarity of GCTs in clinical practice and their poorly defined malignant classification, proper workup and management are essential to avoid the potential morbidity and mortality associated with large and/or malignant tumors. Although malignancy is uncommon, approximately 1%-2% of esophageal GCTs are malignant. Conservative management is tolerated for benign, asymptomatic lesions <10 mm in diameter, but endoscopic removal is recommended for large, symptomatic tumors or those with features suggestive of malignancy. Routine surveillance often includes EGD and/or esophageal ultrasonography to evaluate tumor size, location, and depth and to exclude malignancy or lymph node involvement.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Kiranya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tipirneni
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Blythe
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ochsner Clinical School, New Orleans, LA ; Department of Gastroenterology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA.
authors.forename: Virendra
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Joshi
keywords: Esophageal neoplasms; granular cell tumor; neoplasms