Granular cell tumor of the esophagus: Case report and a brief review of the literature

Granular cell tumors (GCTs) of the esophagus are rare, typically benign neoplasms of Schwann cells that are often overlooked in the differentiation of submucosal lesions of the esophagus. They can have a clinical presentation similar to more common structural or malignant causes of dysphagia, making their diagnosis and treatment delayed. We present a case of a 36-year-old woman with progressive symptoms of dysphagia and weight loss. The symptoms lasted for several months and were ultimately diagnosed as a benign GCT of the lower esophagus. Multimodal imaging studies suspected a benign submucosal lesion, which was biopsied and later excised. The histopathology with immunohistochemistry (IHC) assistance confirmed the diagnosis. The case emphasizes the importance of a broad differential in the workup of submucosal masses of the esophagus in younger patients with atypical or nonspecific symptoms. Early GCT diagnosis and minimally invasive management can be provided by considering the GCTs early. It is crucial to keep reporting such cases to increase the awareness of clinicians and improve the diagnosis of this rare entity.