An infiltrative variant of non-neural granular cell tumor: a case report

J Cutan Pathol. 2009 Oct:36 Suppl 1:46-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0560.2008.01214.x.

Abstract

Dermal non-neural granular cell tumors are rare tumors of indeterminate lineage that typically present as well-circumscribed tumors with nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity. We describe a dermal non-neural granular cell tumor with a distinctive growth pattern with granular cells interspersed between collagen bundles. This asymptomatic papule arose on the scapula of a 46-year-old woman and consisted of a mixture of epithelioid and spindled granular cells. The immunohistochemical characteristics were similar to those of previously reported dermal non-neural granular cell tumors. Despite mild nuclear pleomorphism and dispersion of lesional cells among collagen bundles, mitoses were not present and Ki-67 staining indicated a low proliferative rate. In addition to being S-100 protein negative and NKI/C3 positive, our case was positive for PGP9.5 and weakly positive for neuron-specific enolase, a staining pattern similar to what has been observed for cellular neurothekeomas. Our case could represent a dermal non-neural granular cell tumor with unique architecture, a granular cellular neurothekeoma or a granular cell dermatofibroma. As both dermal non-neural granular cell tumor and cellular neurothekeoma are of indeterminate lineage, our case with features characteristic of both entities may suggest a common precursor or lineage for dermal non-neural granular cell tumor and cellular neurothekeoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Granular Cell Tumor / metabolism
  • Granular Cell Tumor / pathology*
  • Granular Cell Tumor / surgery
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / metabolism
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / pathology
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurothekeoma / metabolism
  • Neurothekeoma / pathology*
  • Neurothekeoma / surgery
  • Scapula / pathology
  • Scapula / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor