Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (715 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Unusual tumor affecting any site of the body, but most often encountered in the head and neck. Considerable debate has surrounded the histogenesis of this neoplasm; however, it is considered to be a myoblastoma of, usually, a benign nature. It affects women more often than men. When it develops beneath the epidermis or mucous membrane, it can lead to proliferation of the squamous cells and mimic squamous cell carcinoma.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cell Tumor, Granular; Cell Tumors, Granular; Granular Cell Tumors; Tumor, Granular Cell; Tumors, Granular Cell; Granular Cell Myoblastoma; Cell Myoblastoma, Granular; Cell Myoblastomas, Granular.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,687 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Granular Cell Tumor” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 207 of them (12.3%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2000-2009 with 532 records.
Reviews account for 309 records (18.3%) and meta-analyses for 2. Randomized controlled trials number 0 (0.0%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 473 |
| 2000-2009 | 532 |
| 2010-2019 | 475 |
| 2020 onward | 207 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 309 | 18.3% |
| Meta-analyses | 2 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 0 | 0.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Granular Cell Tumor"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cancer and oncology
Cancer research spans very different kinds of evidence. Laboratory studies in cell lines and animal models reveal mechanisms but often do not translate to patients. Early-phase trials mainly test safety and dosing, while phase 3 randomized trials and their meta-analyses are the usual basis for treatment conclusions. Outcomes also differ in meaning: tumour shrinkage, progression-free survival and overall survival are not interchangeable, and screening studies can be distorted by lead-time and overdiagnosis. When reading a result, check the cancer type and stage studied, the comparison treatment, and which outcome was measured.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss-of-function mutations in ATP6AP1 and ATP6AP2 in granular cell tumors | 2018 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 105 | cc by PMID 30166553 · DOI · PMC6117336 |
| Granular cell tumors: a report of six cases | 2012 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 31 | cc by PMID 23021251 · DOI · PMC3502223 |
| Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity; a case series including a case of metachronous occurrence in the tongue and the lung | 2015 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 26 | cc by PMID 24880452 · DOI · PMC4320418 |
| Endoscopic endonasal resection of neurohypophyseal granular cell tumor: a case report and review of 88 published cases | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42064777 · DOI · PMC13124585 |
Loss-of-function mutations in ATP6AP1 and ATP6AP2 in granular cell tumors [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare tumors that can arise in multiple anatomical locations, and are characterized by abundant intracytoplasmic granules.
- Closing excerpt
- Our results demonstrate that inactivating mutations of ATP6AP1 and ATP6AP2 are likely oncogenic drivers of GCTs and underpin the genesis of the intracytoplasmic granules that characterize them, providing a genetic link between endosomal pH regulation and tumorigenesis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (142 words)
Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare tumors that can arise in multiple anatomical locations, and are characterized by abundant intracytoplasmic granules. The genetic drivers of GCTs are currently unknown. Here, we apply whole-exome sequencing and targeted sequencing analysis to reveal mutually exclusive, clonal, inactivating somatic mutations in the endosomal pH regulators ATP6AP1 or ATP6AP2 in 72% of GCTs. Silencing of these genes in vitro results in impaired vesicle acidification, redistribution of endosomal compartments, and accumulation of intracytoplasmic granules, recapitulating the cardinal phenotypic characteristics of GCTs and providing a novel genotypic-phenotypic correlation. In addition, depletion of ATP6AP1 or ATP6AP2 results in the acquisition of oncogenic properties. Our results demonstrate that inactivating mutations of ATP6AP1 and ATP6AP2 are likely oncogenic drivers of GCTs and underpin the genesis of the intracytoplasmic granules that characterize them, providing a genetic link between endosomal pH regulation and tumorigenesis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30166553 · DOI · PMC6117336
Granular cell tumors: a report of six cases [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Granular cell tumor is a soft tissue neoplasm that originates in the nervous system and arises at virtually any body site, but is mainly found in the skin, oral cavity or digestive tract.
- Closing excerpt
- No recurrence has been noted in the patients who underwent surgical tumor removal.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (195 words)
Granular cell tumor is a soft tissue neoplasm that originates in the nervous system and arises at virtually any body site, but is mainly found in the skin, oral cavity or digestive tract. Most are benign and reportedly malignant cases are rare, occurring in only 1% or 2% of cases. We report on our findings in six patients who developed granular cell tumor in the mammary gland, esophagus, subcutaneous tissue and muscle. Of six patients, two had granular cell tumor located in the breast, two in the submucosa of the esophagus, and the other two under the skin of the left axillary cavity and in the right latissimus dorsi muscle, respectively. One of the two patients with tumor in the submucosa of the esophagus also had esophageal cancer. Patients' age ranged from 41 to 70 years (average, 59.1 years). Two patients with tumor in the submucosa of the esophagus were men, and the others were women. All of them were given a diagnosis of granular cell tumor by tissue biopsy and examination of excised specimens, but no evidence of malignancy was found. No recurrence has been noted in the patients who underwent surgical tumor removal.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 23021251 · DOI · PMC3502223
Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity; a case series including a case of metachronous occurrence in the tongue and the lung [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- The granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare, benign tumor that most commonly occurs in the oral cavity, particularly in the anterior part of the tongue.
- Closing excerpt
- Since recurrences and metachronous lesions are rare, as are distant metastases, routine follow-up does not seem warranted in patients treated for a granular cell tumor of the oral cavity.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (132 words)
The granular cell tumor (GCT) is a rare, benign tumor that most commonly occurs in the oral cavity, particularly in the anterior part of the tongue. In this study the experience with 16 patients with a GCT observed in a single Institution will be discussed. Although no radicality has been obtained in most cases, recurrences are rare. In one patient, a recurrence was noted four years after excision of the primary. In the same patient a pulmonary lesion occurred five years after excision of the recurrence in the oral cavity, most likely representing an example of metachronous occurrence and not a distant metastasis. Since recurrences and metachronous lesions are rare, as are distant metastases, routine follow-up does not seem warranted in patients treated for a granular cell tumor of the oral cavity.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24880452 · DOI · PMC4320418
Endoscopic endonasal resection of neurohypophyseal granular cell tumor: a case report and review of 88 published cases [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundGranular cell tumor (GCT) of the neurohypophysis is a rare tumor originating from the posterior pituitary/infundibulum, classified as WHO grade I.
- Closing excerpt
- Due to the potential for late recurrence, long-term follow-up is recommended.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (246 words)
BackgroundGranular cell tumor (GCT) of the neurohypophysis is a rare tumor originating from the posterior pituitary/infundibulum, classified as WHO grade I. Due to its imaging characteristics being highly similar to those of common sellar lesions, diagnosis typically relies on histopathology and immunohistochemistry.Case presentationA 43-year-old male presented with a one-month history of pulsatile temporal headaches without significant visual complaints. Endocrine tests showed reduced levels of growth hormone and prolactin. CT scan of the head and MRI of the sellar region revealed a well-defined solid mass in the sellar/suprasellar region (approximately 20×19×21 mm), compressing the optic chiasm and closely associated with the pituitary stalk. The patient underwent endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal tumor resection. Intraoperatively, the tumor was soft but highly vascular, and adhered to the pituitary stalk, requiring meticulous hemostasis and en bloc removal. Postoperative MRI confirmed total resection. Histologically, the tumor consisted of polygonal to spindle-shaped cells with abundant eosinophilic granules in the cytoplasm. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for TTF-1, S100, and CD68, with a Ki-67 index of approximately 5%, while SOX10 was negative, supporting the diagnosis of neurohypophyseal GCT.Literature reviewWe reviewed 88 published case reports to compare demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, endocrine abnormalities, treatment strategies, and recurrence rates.ConclusionNeurohypophyseal GCT should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid sellar/suprasellar masses associated with the pituitary stalk. Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal resection is effective, but the rich vascular supply and adhesion to the pituitary stalk can increase the surgical difficulty. Due to the potential for late recurrence, long-term follow-up is recommended.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42064777 · DOI · PMC13124585
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Granular cell tumor: a review and update [5]
- Research article Granular cell tumor: a review of the pathology and histogenesis [6]
- Research article Pituicytoma, spindle cell oncocytoma, and granular cell tumor: clarification and meta-analysis of the world literature since 1893 [7]
- Research article Granular cell tumor of the breast: a series of 17 cases and review of the literature [8]
- Research article Solitary, multiple, benign, atypical, or malignant: the "Granular Cell Tumor" puzzle [9]
- Research article Oncocytes, oncocytosis, and oncocytic tumors [10]
References
- Pareja F, Brandes AH, Basili T, Selenica P, Geyer FC, Fan D, et al.. Loss-of-function mutations in ATP6AP1 and ATP6AP2 in granular cell tumors. . 2018. PMID 30166553 · DOI · PMC6117336
- Aoyama K, Kamio T, Hirano A, Seshimo A, Kameoka S. Granular cell tumors: a report of six cases. . 2012. PMID 23021251 · DOI · PMC3502223
- van de Loo S, Thunnissen E, Postmus P, van der Waal I. Granular cell tumor of the oral cavity; a case series including a case of metachronous occurrence in the tongue and the lung. . 2015. PMID 24880452 · DOI · PMC4320418
- Zhang Y, Xie MC, Han H, Xie X, Zhang W, Cheng J, et al.. Endoscopic endonasal resection of neurohypophyseal granular cell tumor: a case report and review of 88 published cases. . 2026. PMID 42064777 · DOI · PMC13124585
- Ordóñez NG. Granular cell tumor: a review and update. Adv Anat Pathol. 1999. PMID 10410172 · DOI
- Ordóñez NG, Mackay B. Granular cell tumor: a review of the pathology and histogenesis. Ultrastruct Pathol. 1999. PMID 10503740 · DOI
- Covington MF, Chin SS, Osborn AG. Pituicytoma, spindle cell oncocytoma, and granular cell tumor: clarification and meta-analysis of the world literature since 1893. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2011. PMID 21960498 · DOI · PMC7964422
- Adeniran A, Al-Ahmadie H, Mahoney MC, Robinson-Smith TM. Granular cell tumor of the breast: a series of 17 cases and review of the literature. Breast J. 2004. PMID 15569210 · DOI
- Machado I, Cruz J, Lavernia J, Llombart-Bosch A. Solitary, multiple, benign, atypical, or malignant: the "Granular Cell Tumor" puzzle. Virchows Arch. 2016. PMID 26637199 · DOI
- Chang A, Harawi SJ. Oncocytes, oncocytosis, and oncocytic tumors. Pathol Annu. 1992. PMID 1736246
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.