Abrikossoff’s tumor in a 23-year-old womanunsuccessfully treated with cryosurgery

Abstract

Introduction: Abrikossoff’s tumor (AT), also known as granular cell tumor or granular cell myoblastoma, is a rare and usually benign neoplasm. It can occur anywhere in the body, but the tongue is the most often reported location.

Aim: To describe a diagnostically difficult case of Abrikossoff’s tumor.

Case report: A 23-year-old woman presented primarily to the dermatology clinic due to hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) lesions located in the right groin. During the medical interview, she additionally reported a “tongue scar” that had been present for the past 3 years. The patient was overweight and had 5-year smoking history (5 pack-years). The physical examination revealed a well-circumscribed, painless mucosal nodule of fibrous texture on the right border of the tongue. The nodule on the tongue had been ineffectively treated with cryosurgery. A biopsy was taken from the lesion. The patient was later referred to the otolaryngology unit, where a radical excision and diagnostic imaging were performed.

Discussion: The histological results from the biopsy were significant for AT, with positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100. While surgical excision remains the best therapeutic approach for AT, cryosurgery seems to be ineffective. It is difficult to distinguish between the benign and malignant forms of AT based solely on a histopathological picture. Therefore, patients with AT should have further diagnostics performed to exclude the potential of a malignant tumor.

Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of AT when examining patients with nodular, painless, and well-demarcated mucosal lesions on the tongue. Surgical excision is the best treatment option for AT.