Benign Granular Cell Tumors of the Larynx: A Review of 36 Cases with Clinicopathologic Data

The clinical, microscopic, and gross features of 36 cases of benign granular cell tumor arising in the larynx are reviewed and studied. This infrequent lesion, when in the larynx, is found most commonly on the true vocal cord in adults in their third, fourth, and fifth decades; there is no obvious sex predilection. Slowly increasing hoarseness was the primary complaint in our cases. Clinically, the tumors are considered benign. The most common clinical impression was a vocal cord papilloma. The microscopic pattern of the granular cell tumors is uniform and bland, but there may be a marked pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia of the over-lying squamous epithelium, often stimulating squamous cell carcinoma. Follow-up information is discussed as is the origin and histogenesis of this lesion.