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What is a Warthin's Tumor?
A Warthin's tumor (also formally known as papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum) is a completely benign (non-cancerous) tumor.
It is the second most common benign tumor of the salivary glands, right behind pleomorphic adenoma.
Key Characteristics to Know:
Location: It is almost exclusively found in the parotid gland, which is the largest salivary gland located right in front of and below your ears. It is unique because it is often found in the lower part (tail) of this gland.
High Association with Smoking: It is one of the very few tumors heavily linked to a specific habit—smokers are roughly 8 times more likely to develop a Warthin's tumor than non-smokers.
Bilateral Potential: It is the salivary gland tumor most likely to occur on both sides (bilateral) or have multiple distinct tumors within the same gland.
Histology (Microscopic Look): Under a microscope, it has a very distinct "double layer" of cells forming cystic spaces, surrounded by dense lymphoid tissue (immune cells).
Because it is slow-growing and completely benign, treatment usually just involves a simple, conservative surgical removal of the lump, and it rarely ever comes back.