Warthin Tumour — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateOral PathologyWarthin TumourNDEB AFK

Which salivary gland tumour is the second most common and occurs almost exclusively in the parotid gland, presenting as a painless mass in an older male smoker?

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Correct answer: A — Warthin tumour (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum)

Warthin tumour is the second most common parotid gland tumour (approximately 5-15% of all parotid tumours). It occurs almost exclusively in the parotid (or periparotid lymph nodes) and has a strong association with smoking. It is more common in males (historically 5:1, now approaching 1:1 with increased female smoking). It is the most common bilateral salivary gland tumour (10-15% bilateral). Histologically, it consists of bilayered oncocytic epithelium (tall columnar with granular eosinophilic cytoplasm) lining papillary cystic spaces with a dense lymphoid stroma. Treatment is superficial parotidectomy with minimal recurrence.

Reference: Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016