Granular cell tumour of the biliary tract

Granular cell tumours of the biliary tract are found most commonly in the common bile duct, less often in the gallbladder or common hepatic duct.

Histopathology

The tumour consists of large polygonal cells with an abundant eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm, and small round to oval nuclei. The tumor cells were infiltrate diffusely between muscle bundles throughout the walls of the biliary tree, extending into the subserosa, forming clusters of cells which may encircle small nerves and peribiliary glands. The epithelial lining of the gallbladder and bile ducts was predominantly normal or only mildly hyperplastic.

Immunohistochemistry

The reported positivity for inhibin contrasts with the negativity reported for granular cell tumours elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

References

1 Murakata LA,Ishak KG Expression of inhibin-alpha by granular cell tumors of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts. Am J Surg Pathol 2001; 25:1200-3

This page last revised 25.3.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop