Warthin's Tumor

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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.