IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STAINING OF GRANULAR-CELL TUMOR FOR NEURON SPECIFIC ENOLASE - EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF A NEURAL ORIGIN

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (3) , 205-211
Abstract
Eight human cases of benign granular cell tumor of tongue and skin all showed immunohistochemical staining for neuron specific enolase (NSE). Four Schwannomas, 2 neurofibromas and Schwann cells of nerves related to these tumors and the granular cell tumors showed no staining for NSE. NSE is a marker for neuronal type cells of the nervous system and cells of the neuroendocrine system. The results support a neural derivation of granular cell tumors. The histogenetic precursor may be an undifferentiated spindle-shaped reserve cell of peripheral nerve, perhaps necessary for replacement of shed sensory organs.