Warthin's Tumor
Image Description
Warthin’s Tumor (WT) has also been referred to as cystadenolymphoma, adenolymphoma, and papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum. It is the second most common benign salivary gland tumor after pleomorphic adenoma. It accounts for 5% to 6% of all neoplasms of salivary glands and up to 12% of benign parotid tumors. WT occurs in 3rd to 7th decades of life with a slight male predominance. Risk factors include smoking (8-fold higher risk than non-smokers) and radiation exposure.
WT predominantly involves the parotid gland and presents as a painless mass. Rare cases involving the submandibular gland and minor salivary glands have been reported. Bilateral and multifocal WT are not uncommon. This gross image of a WT shows solid and cystic components. The pearly white nodules in the cyst wall are hyperplastic lymphoid follicles covered by oncocytic epithelium. Image courtesy of: Dr. Bulent Celasun, Ankara, Turkey.
WT predominantly involves the parotid gland and presents as a painless mass. Rare cases involving the submandibular gland and minor salivary glands have been reported. Bilateral and multifocal WT are not uncommon. This gross image of a WT shows solid and cystic components. The pearly white nodules in the cyst wall are hyperplastic lymphoid follicles covered by oncocytic epithelium. Image courtesy of: Dr. Bulent Celasun, Ankara, Turkey.