Granular cell tumour of the mammary gland simulating malignancy. A report on two cases with light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical investigation.

Primary granular cell tumours of the breast in 35 and 55 year old women were studied by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Light and electron microscopy revealed a neural origin of the tumours and this was further substantiated by immunohistochemical studies, with positive S-100 protein reaction and negative reactions for surface heavy and light chains, CEA, alfa-1-antitrypsin, muramidase and GFA-protein. Granular cell tumour of the mammary gland is a very rare tumour. Clinically it sometimes simulates carcinoma because of its fibrous consistency, fixation to pectoral fascia and skin retraction. The diagnosis of granular cell tumour should be included in the differential diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast. The granular cell tumour is derived from neuro-ectodermal tissue. Whether it represents a neurogenic cell-confined metabolic disturbance with lysosomal activation, or a true neoplasm remains to be elucidated.