What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Epulis Granular Cell Tumor of Childhood 
• Epulis Granular Cell Tumor of Infancy

What is Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy? (Definition/Background Information)

• Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is a rare and usually slow-growing tumor, which occurs on the gums of a newborn
• This type of tumor tends to be of a smaller size (larger dimension is about 1 cm), when compared to Granular Cell Tumor found in adults
• In a majority of the cases, the benign tumor is present as a single benign nodule, which requires no treatment

Who gets Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy occurs in infants 
• Both males and females are affected by Granular Cell Epulis; though it is more common in females than males
• The tumor is more commonly seen in the African American population compared to the Caucasian population

What are the Risk Factors for Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy? (Predisposing Factors)

• No documented risk factors have been reported for Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy? (Etiology)

• The exact cause of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is unknown
• Researchers have documented certain genetic changes within the tumor. However, cases where these specific genetic mutations have been observed are rare. Thus, studies regarding genetic changes are limited
• Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is not associated with any known congenital syndrome

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy?

The signs and symptoms of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy include:

• They appear as a painless single nodule on the gums. Occasionally, they may be painful to touch
• The skin (mucosa) over the nodule may be brownish red and is usually intact
• Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is a slow-growing tumor. It is typically less than 1 cm in size (along the larger dimension)

How is Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy Diagnosed?

Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is diagnosed using the following methods:

• Complete physical examination and a thorough medical history
• The tumor is a slow-growing tumor on the gums; this helps in the diagnosis
• A biopsy of the nodule:

The biopsy is sent to a laboratory where the pathologist examines the nodule under a microscope. The pathologist would be able to arrive at a definitive diagnosis of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy, after a microscopic examination and also on performing a variety of special studies, called immunostains. The immunohistochemistry staining profile of a conventional Granular Cell Tumor is different from that of a Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy Tumor.

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy?

There are generally no complications observed due to the benign nature of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy tumor.

How is Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy Treated?

The treatment measures for Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy include:

• In majority of the cases a Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy would either stop to grow, or completely disappear without treatment
• The tumor does not grow after birth and there is no tendency for local recurrence
• Close monitoring of the tumor is all that is needed

How can Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy be Prevented?

• The cause of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy is unknown. Therefore, there are no known methods to prevent the tumor occurrence
• Early diagnosis with close monitoring of the tumor is important

What is the Prognosis of Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The tumor does not grow after birth and there is no tendency for local recurrence. Hence, the prognosis is excellent
• In majority of the cases, a Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy Tumor would either stop to grow, or completely disappear without treatment

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy:

• Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy tumor is negative for S100 protein, Neuron Specific Enoloase (NSE), laminin, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), CD-57, and alpha-1 antitrypsin protein. The above stains show a pattern in Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy that is different from the staining pattern of a classical Granular Cell Tumor. The helps with the diagnosis
• Positive immunostains in a conventional Granular Cell Tumor is: S100 protein, Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), calretinin, peripheral myelin protein, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP), alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, CD68, vimentin. The Granular Cell Tumors are negative for neural filaments and GFAP immunostains
• There are no documented cases of a Granular Cell Epulis of Infancy Tumor undergoing a malignant transformation to develop into a malignant granular cell tumor