Granular cell tumors

Granular cell tumors are tumors that start in primitive (early) nerve cells. They are rarely found in the breast. Most are found in the skin or the mouth, but they are uncommon even in those places. They are almost always benign.

A granular cell tumor of the breast can most often be felt as a firm lump that you can move, but some may be attached to the skin or chest wall. They are usually about ½ to 1 inch across and are most often found on the upper, inner part of the breast. Granular cell tumors are sometimes thought to be cancer when they are found on a clinical breast exam because they are firm, especially if they are fixed in place. They may also look like cancer on a mammogram. A fine needle or core needle biopsy can tell them apart from cancers.

This tumor is usually cured by removing it along with a small margin of normal breast tissue around it. Granular cell tumors are not linked to a higher risk of having breast cancer later in life.