Warthin Tumour — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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ModerateOral PathologyWarthin TumourMFDS Part 1

Which clinical and epidemiological profile is most characteristic of Warthin tumour (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum)?

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Correct answer: E — Associated with cigarette smoking and may be bilateral or multifocal

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · D = shown as B · B = shown as D · A = shown as E

A is correct. Warthin tumour is a benign, predominantly parotid neoplasm occurring mainly in older adults. It has a strong association with cigarette smoking and, unusually among benign salivary tumours, may be bilateral or multifocal. Reported frequencies vary between series, so a fixed figure of approximately 10% is unnecessarily rigid. Epstein–Barr virus and a submandibular origin are not characteristic, and Warthin tumour is not predominantly a childhood or minor-gland lesion. Perineural spread suggests a malignant salivary neoplasm rather than Warthin tumour. Recurrence is uncommon but not impossible, and a later lesion may represent another tumour focus. Malignant transformation is extremely rare, not absent.

Reference: Klussmann JP et al. High risk for bilateral Warthin tumor in heavy smokers—review of 185 cases. Acta Otolaryngologica. 2006;126(11):1213–1217. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17050316/