Signs and Symptoms
- Warthin's tumor primarily affects individuals aged 60-70 years.
- There is a slight male predilection according to recent studies.
- The tumor is slow-growing and painless.
- It usually appears in the tail of the parotid gland near the angle of the mandible.
- In 5-14% of cases, Warthin's tumor is bilateral, but the two masses usually occur at different times.
Locations
- The parotid gland is the most likely affected gland.
- Warthin's tumor is virtually restricted to the parotid gland.
- It is the second most common benign parotid tumor after pleomorphic adenoma.
- The prevalence of Warthin's tumor is steadily increasing.
Cause
- The cause of Warthin's tumor is unknown.
- There is a strong association with cigarette smoking.
- Smokers are at 8 times greater risk of developing Warthin's tumor than the general population.
Diagnosis
- The appearance of Warthin's tumor under the microscope is unique.
- It is characterised by cystic spaces surrounded by two uniform rows of oncocytes.
- The cystic spaces have papillary infoldings of epithelium.
- The epithelium has lymphoid stroma with germinal center formation.
- The differential diagnosis includes sebaceous lymphadenoma and oncocytoma.
Treatment
- Most Warthin's tumors are treated with surgical removal called parotidectomy.
- Unlike pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumor is non-recurrent.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2022) |
Warthin's tumor, also known as papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum, is a benign cystic tumor of the salivary glands containing abundant lymphocytes and germinal centers (lymph node-like stroma). It is named for pathologist Aldred Scott Warthin, who described two cases in 1929.
| Warthin's tumor | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Warthin tumour, monomorphic adenoma, adenolymphoma |
 | |
| Cytopathology of Warthin's tumor, with typical cellular features (and a relatively uncommon binucleated cell). Pap stain. | |
| Specialty | Oncology  |
