[A multifocal granular-cell tumor of the upper airways]

Abstract

Granular cell tumor now is considered to be a neoplasm with the same origin as schwannomas and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small tumors of the upper airway. These tumors usually appear as isolated lesions. We report the case of a male patient with three simultaneous granular cell tumors located in the anterior pillar of the tonsil, vocal cord and arytenoid. Although seldom malignant, these tumors can be misdiagnosed as squamous-cell carcinomas because they induce pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the overlying epithelium. They should be excised with broad margins because they tend to infiltrate.