# Granular Cell Tumor of the Colon: A Rare Diagnosis in an Uncommon Location

**Authors:** Saar Peles, Alik Manoogian, Michael Roth, Zachary Field

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85226 · Cureus · 2025-06-02

## TL;DR

A rare granular cell tumor in the colon was diagnosed in a 51-year-old woman, highlighting the importance of considering this tumor type in similar cases.

## Contribution

This paper presents a rare case of colonic granular cell tumor and emphasizes its diagnostic challenges and management considerations.

## Key findings

- A 10-mm submucosal granular cell tumor was identified in the colon with a yellow-white appearance.
- Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis with strong positivity for S100, SOX10, and inhibin.
- The tumor lacked high-risk features but will be monitored for potential malignant transformation.

## Abstract

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) are rare neoplasms of Schwann cell origin that typically exhibit benign behavior but can rarely undergo malignant transformation. Gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon, and colonic localization is particularly rare. We report the case of a 51-year-old African American woman referred for evaluation of iron-deficiency anemia. Colonoscopy revealed a 10-mm submucosal lesion at the hepatic flexure with a characteristic yellow-white appearance. Histopathologic examination showed polygonal cells with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm and small, uniform nuclei. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for S100, SOX10, and inhibin, confirming the diagnosis of a GCT. There was no evidence of necrosis or mitotic activity. Although the lesion lacked high-risk histologic features, given the tumor’s submucosal origin and its uncertain malignant potential, future endoscopic resection will be pursued. This case demonstrates the importance of considering GCTs in the differential diagnosis of submucosal colonic lesions and highlights the diagnostic value of immunohistochemistry. It also emphasizes the need for surveillance in populations potentially at higher risk of malignancy, even in the absence of overt histologic features.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1), SOX10 (SRY-box transcription factor 10), inhbb.L (inhibin subunit beta B L homeolog)
- **Diseases:** iron-deficiency anemia (MONDO:0001356)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** SOX10 (SRY-box transcription factor 10) [NCBI Gene 6663] {aka DOM, PCWH, SOX-10, WS2E, WS4, WS4C}, S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1) [NCBI Gene 6271] {aka S100, S100-alpha, S100A}
- **Diseases:** necrosis (MESH:D009336), GCT (MESH:C537296), iron-deficiency anemia (MESH:D018798), colonic lesions (MESH:D003108), submucosal (MESH:C563509), malignancy (MESH:D009369), GCTs (MESH:D016586)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12221117/full.md

## References

7 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12221117/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12221117