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Benign and Malignant Granular Cell Tumor of the Hypopharynx: Two Faces of a Rare Entity

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Abstract

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are rare soft tissue tumors that involve the head and neck in 50% of patients. Two distinct variants of GCT, one benign (bGCT) and the other malignant (mGCT), involving the hypopharynx, a subsite of the larynx, are presented here. The clinical presentations, radiographic features, pathologic diagnosis in these two variants of GCT are discussed. The mGCT was diagnosed only after complete tumor excision. This report highlights the importance of complete excision of the tumor mass, as diagnosis of mGCT can be exceedingly difficult to make on a small biopsy specimen. Therefore, complete excision is recommended for definitive diagnosis and treatment of GCTs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology- Head & Neck Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 981225 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-1225, USA

    Elizabeth Jo Bradford Bell

  2. Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1121 NW 14th StreetSuite 310, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Giovana R. Thomas & Jason Leibowitz

  3. University of Miami Hospital, Miller School of Medicine, 1400 NW 12th Avenue, Room 4078, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Jaylou M. Velez Torres

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  1. Elizabeth Jo Bradford Bell
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  2. Giovana R. Thomas
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  3. Jason Leibowitz
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  4. Jaylou M. Velez Torres
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Contributions

EBB and GRT contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by EBB. EBB and GRT wrote the first draft of the manuscript. JMVT provided micrographs. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Giovana R. Thomas.

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Bradford Bell, E.J., Thomas, G.R., Leibowitz, J. et al. Benign and Malignant Granular Cell Tumor of the Hypopharynx: Two Faces of a Rare Entity. Head and Neck Pathol 15, 281–287 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-020-01157-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-020-01157-9

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