Clinical-pathological correlations in Warthin tumors of parotid gland: a series of 10 cases

Warthin tumor is described using various terms, such as papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum, adenolymphoma or monomorphic adenoma. It is a medical condition related to the salivary glands, namely a benign cystic tumor which contains an epithelial component and an abundant lymphoid stroma. It is also named Warthin tumor after Aldred Scott Warthin, the pathologist who described this entity in 1929 by observing it in two patients. Warthin tumor is a benign one and ranks secondly in terms of the most common not malignant salivary gland tumor located in the parotid gland. Because of its cystic nature, from the clinical point of view, it appears to be a slow-growing tumor often fluctuant on palpation. In terms of the treatment of choice, complete excision with wide tumor-free margins is preferred. The aim of the present article is to evaluate possible correlations between clinical-pathological features and postoperative complications in a target group made up of 10 patients diagnosed with Warthin tumor of the parotid gland admitted for surgery in a period of 21 years and to compare the results with literature.