Granular cells tumour in the oral cavity: report of eleven cases treated with laser surgery.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to examine the clinical and histological feature of oral tumours of neural derivation and discuss their treatment.

Methods: Between 1999 and 2004, 11 patients (6 females, 5 males; age range 28-66 years) were treated for tumours classified as being of neural origin; they were all myoblastomas or granular cells tumours (ex Abrikossoff tumour). Eight were located on the dorsum of the tongue, 2 on the lateral margin and 1 on the right buccal mucosa. In all cases the mass appeared nodular, single and firm; patients were treated in a single session by excisional resection with 808 and 830 diode laser.

Results: During follow-up, which ranged from 5 months to 5 years, there was no indication of tumour recurrence. Histopathological analysis of haematoxylin and eosinstained sections showed all specimens to exhibit features typical of GCT; 6 tumours were well circumscribed, whereas 5 infiltrated adjacent connective tissue, muscle fibres and nerve bundles. In 10 of the 11 cases, the immunohistochemical S-100 protein stain was available and appeared positive. Pseudo-epitheliomatous hyperplasia of different degrees was present in 5 patients, along the overlying epithelium.

Conclusions: Granular cell tumour is a benign neoplasm with a tendency to relapse if not completely removed. The usefulness of laser in the surgical treatment of these tumours particularly if small in size, is underlined.