A clinical case report of endoscopic diagnosis of granular cell tumor of the esophagus with a review of indications and selection of endoscopic treatment method
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14739/2310-1210.2026.4.356771Keywords:
granular cell tumor, esophagus, endoscopic diagnosis, treatmentAbstract
Granular cell tumor (GCT) of the esophagus (Abrikosov’s tumor) is a rare benign neoplasm originating from neurogenic tissue (Schwann cells). Minimally invasive endoscopic approaches, including cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (cap-EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), are the preferred treatment modalities for esophageal GCT.
Aim. To evaluate endoscopic diagnosis of granular cell tumor of the esophagus and to describe the technique of cap-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection within an individualized clinical approach.
Materials and methods. The article presents a clinical case of endoscopic diagnosis, management and endoscopic treatment of a patient with histologically confirmed esophageal GCT, treated at the multidisciplinary Surgical Department of the Educational and Scientific Medical Center “University Clinic” of Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
Results. The patient presented with heartburn, globus sensation, and odynophagia. Prior diagnostic esophagogastroscopy revealed a submucosal lesion measuring 10 mm in diameter in the lower third of the esophagus, with a whitish surface, sessile base, and firm consistency. Preliminary histological examination was consistent with GCT of the esophagus. Endoscopic removal was performed under intravenous procedural sedation using the cap-EMR technique. Immunohistochemistry showed positive reactivity for S-100, calretinin and CD68, consistent with the morphological diagnosis of GCT (Abrikosov’s tumor; ICD-O code 9580/0). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2.
Conclusions. Granular cell tumor of the esophagus is a rare submucosal neoplasm often identified as an incidental finding during routine screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Endoscopic treatment is an effective and safe treatment modality that enables rapid postoperative recovery and return to normal daily activity.
References
- Nassif N, Mundt D, Shah T, Hamed R. Granular cell tumor in the pulmonary tree. Respir Med Case Rep. 2022;36:101578. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101578
| 
| 
- An S, Jang J, Min K, Kim MS, Park H, Park YS, et al. Granular cell tumor of the gastrointestinal tract: histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 98 cases. Hum Pathol. 2015;46(6):813-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humpath.2015.02.005
| | - Pronesti VM, Goel K, Mitre M. Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor in a 28-year-old: A Unique Cause for Dysphagia. Cureus. 2018;10(5):e2679. doi: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2679
| - González-Sánchez CB, Alonso-Lárraga JO, Maldonado Vázquez A, Gallegos-Garza C, Castillo González FA. [Granular cell tumor of the esophagus]. Rev Gastroenterol Mex. 2018;83(1):69-70. Spanish. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgmx.2016.06.005
| | - Tan HJ, Chong CXZ, Lim KH, Ong HS. Granular cell tumor of esophagus: A rare disease of the esophagus. Annals of Case Reports and Images. 2018;1(1):3. doi: https://doi.org/10.24983/scitemed.acri.2018.00076
- Lee JS, Ko KO, Lim JW, Cheon EJ, Kim YJ, Son JS, et al. Granular cell tumor of the esophagus in an adolescent. Korean J Pediatr. 2016;59(Suppl 1):S88-S91. doi: https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2016.59.11.S88
| | - Shi Y, Chai N, Zhong L, Li L, Zou J, Xiang J, et al. Experience with Esophageal Granular Cell Tumors: Clinical and Endoscopic Analysis of 22 Cases. Dig Dis Sci. 2021;66(4):1233-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-020-06337-9
| | - Manning-Geist BL, Perez-Atayde AR, Laufer MR. Pediatric Granular Cell Tumors of the Vulva: A Report of 4 Cases and a Review of the Literature. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2018;31(3):311-4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2017.12.010
| | - Stašek M, Aujeský R, Škarda J, Švébišová H, Vrba R, Szkorupa M, et al. Malignant Granular Cell Tumor of the Esophagus: A Case Report. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2020;26(6):359-64. doi: https://doi.org/10.5761/atcs.cr.20-00117
| | - Reddi D, Chandler C, Cardona D, Schild M, Westerhoff M, McMullen E, et al. Esophageal granular cell tumor and eosinophils: a multicenter experience. Diagn Pathol. 2021;16(1):49. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13000-021-01113-3
| | - Jacobson BC, Bhatt A, Greer KB, Lee LS, Park WG, Sauer BG, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Diagnosis and Management of Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesions. Am J Gastroenterol. 2023;118(1):46-58. doi: https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000002100
| | - Iwamuro M, Tanaka T, Kanzaki H, Kawano S, Kawahara Y, Okada H. Esophageal Granular Cell Tumors Can Be Differentiated from Leiomyomas Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography. Intern Med. 2018;57(11):1509-15. doi: https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.9816-17
| | - Diaz A, Yan K, Cipriani NA, Blair EA. Large tracheoesophageal granular cell tumor: An atypical case presentation, location, and management. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2022;92:106844. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106844
| | - Groudan K, Chalhoub J, Singhania R. Abrikossoff Tumor (Granular Cell Tumor) Presenting in the Esophagus. Cureus. 2021;13(2):e13278. doi: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.13278
| - Benchekroun Z, Akammar A, Bennani H, Haloua M, Lamrani YA, Boubbou M, et al. Atypical esophageal granular cell tumor: Case report. Radiol Case Rep. 2021;16(12):3995-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2021.09.040
| |
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 O. O. Krylova, O. M. Kiosov, V. V. Filenko
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal. 
