Granular Cell Tumor of the Breast - Understanding the Cancer Mimic through a Series of Three Cases

Sep 21, 2026

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Granular cell tumors of the breast are rare, most of them benign, and their imaging appearances often closely resemble breast cancer, creating diagnostic uncertainty. This article reports three cases with variable clinical presentation and highlights how histopathology and immunochemistry support diagnosis. The aim is to improve recognition and help distinguish these tumors from breast cancer, given differences in prognosis and management. Clinical findings include masses with nonspecific mammographic and ultrasound features and confirmation after biopsy or surgery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Case Presentations

First case

Second case

Third case

Discussion

Epidemiology and origin

Imaging features

Treatment and prognosis

Article published online: 2024-03-23 750 Case Report THIEME Granular Cell Tumor of the Breast: Understanding the Cancer Mimic through a Series of Three Cases Swati Sharma 1 Aanchal Shah2 Smita Sharma 1 1 Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, United States 2 Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, United States Indian J Radiol Imaging 2024;34:750–753. Address for correspondence Swati Sharma, MD, 267 Old Bluff Drive, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081, United States (e-mail: swati.sharma@jax. uﬂ .edu) . Abstract Keywords ► granular cell tumor ► breast cancer Granular cell tumors of breast are rare neoplasms, majority of which are benign. Their imaging appearances are often indistinguishable from breast cancer. They may demonstrate a few differentiating features and unlike breast cancer, typically follow a benign course. Histopathology and immunochemistry form the cornerstone of diagnosis of granular cell tumor. In this article, we presented a series of three cases of granular cell tumors with variable presentations. Our goal is to increase familiarity for these neoplasms and for the readers to be able to distinguish them from the more common entity of breast cancer, as their prognosis and management differ. Case Presentations The ﬁrst patient, a 66-year-old, had a focal asymmetry on screening mammogram and no sonographic corelate ( ►Fig. 1). Stereotactic biopsy demonstrated granular cell tumor (GCT). Post-lumpectomy pathology conﬁrmed GCT. The second patient, a53-year-old with a palpable left breast lump, had no suspicious ﬁndings on mammogram ( ►Fig. 2A and B ) and a mass with indistinct margins and posterior shadowing on ultrasound ( ►Fig. 2C ). Ultrasound-guided biopsy and post-lumpectomy pathology conﬁrmed GCT. The third patient, a 42-year-old, had an irregular mass on screening mammogram ( ►Fig. 3A and B ). On ultrasound, the mass had indistinct margins and posterior shadowing ( ►Fig. 3C ). Ultrasound-guided biopsy and post-lumpectomy pathology showed inﬁltrative GCT ( ►Fig. 4A–D). Later that year, patient underwent surgery for a vulvar mass, which turned out to be GCTon pathology ( ►Fig. 5A, B), making this a case of multifocal GCT. In a case review of breast GCTs published by Adeniran et al in 2004, 3 out of 17 cases had multifocal GCTs.1 Discussion GCTs are rare neoplasms, constituting 0. 1% of breast tumors. Tongue is the commonest site for GCT and breast accounts for5 to 6% cases. Majority are benign, with malignant cases constituting less than 1% of breast GCTs. The tumor is considered of neural or neuroectodermal origin, as favored by S100 protein positivity. Breast GCTs likely originate from Schwann cells of peripheral nerves in the lobular breast tissue. 1,2 They may mimic breast cancer clinically and radiologically.3,4 Breast GCTs are more common in premenopausal African American women. Most of them present as painless masses. Mammographic and sonographic features of GCT are variable and nonspeciﬁc. GCT may present as circumscribed or irregular mass. Typically, on ultrasound GCT is a solid hypoechoic mass with posterior shadowing.5 Calciﬁcations are generally not a feature of GCT. When GCT presents as a mass withindistinct or spiculated margins, as in our cases, it mimics cancer.6 On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor is isointense or slightly hyperintense, with variable enhancement patterns. 1,2 article published online March 23, 2024 DOI [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)10.1055/s-0043-1778632 . ISSN 0971-3026. © 2024 . Indian Radiological Association. All rights reserved. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, r

FAQs

Why can granular cell tumors of the breast be mistaken for breast cancer?

Their imaging appearances are often indistinguishable from breast cancer, and they may present as circumscribed or irregular masses with nonspecific features, especially when margins are indistinct or spiculated.

What is the cornerstone for diagnosing granular cell tumor?

Histopathology and immunochemistry are the cornerstone of diagnosis of granular cell tumor, including immunochemical support such as S100 protein positivity.

How does treatment and prognosis differ between granular cell tumor and breast cancer?

Treatment for breast granular cell tumor is complete tumor resection with an excellent prognosis, while breast cancer typically requires a multidisciplinary approach combining surgery with possible chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and radiation; inadequate resection can lead to local recurrence.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Levi