University of Wisconsin–Madison Medical College of Wisconsin

Granular Cell Tumor: A Rare Suprasellar Tumor

Augusto Dextre-Espinoza, BS; Sofia Ildefonso-Najarro, MSc; Fiorella Beatriz Gonzales Chiroque, BS; Eric Edwin Edinson Vasquez Garcia, BS; Jenyfer María Fuentes-Mendoza; Luis Concepción-Urteaga, PhD; Marcio Concepción-Zavaleta, MSc

WMJ. 2026;125(2):305-308. Published June 2, 2026.

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ABSTRACT

Introduction: Granular cell tumors of the neurohypophysis are rare, benign neoplasms originating from pituicytes that often pose diagnostic challenges due to their resemblance to other sellar lesions.

Case Presentation: We report the case of a 26-year-old man with a 2-year history of headache, polyuria, and hypopituitarism. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 21 × 23×30 mm suprasellar mass compressing the optic chiasm and hypothalamus. Hormonal evaluation showed hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism, and arginine vasopressin deficiency. The patient underwent partial tumor resection. Histopathology confirmed a grade I granular cell tumor, positive for thyroid transcription factor 1, S100, and vimentin.

Discussion: Granular cell tumors are slow-growing lesions with nonspecific clinical and radiologic features. Diagnosis relies on histologic and immunohistochemical findings. Complete resection is often limited by tumor vascularity and proximity to vital structures.

Conclusions: Granular cell tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suprasellar tumors. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management may improve patient outcomes.


Author affiliations: Servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú (Dextre-Espinoza, Ildefonso-Najarro, Gonzales Chiroque); Servicio de Patología Quirúrgica y Necropsias, Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen, Lima, Perú (Vasquez Garcia); Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias, Metabolismo, Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru (Fuentes-Mendoza, Concepción-Zavaleta); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo, Perú (Concepción-Urteaga).
Corresponding author:
Marcio José Concepción-Zavaleta, Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias, Metabolismo, Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima, Peru; email marcio_conc_zav@outlook.es; ORCID ID 0000-0001-9719-1875
Financial disclosures: None declared.
Funding/support:
None declared.
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