Warthin Tumor
Rose Anton, MD
Key Facts
Cytopathology
Aspiration may yield thick, tan-brown fluid
Combination of oncocytic-appearing epithelial cells and mature lymphocytes
Squamous (metaplastic) cells may be identified
Top Differential Diagnoses
Oncocytoma
Lacks lymphocytic component of Warthin tumor
Low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma with oncocytic cells
Look for mucus-producing cells in mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Warthin can show squamous metaplasia with marked atypia, but squamous carcinomas are usually more cytologically atypical with well-preserved cells
 Warthin tumor: (A) On Pap stain, aspirate smears consist of sheets of oncocytes  with a background of mixed inflammation and predominantly lymphocytes  . (B) This high-power Pap stain demonstrates the cytoplasmic details of oncocytes. The cells have round nuclei, occasionally prominent nucleoli  , and abundant granular cytoplasm. (C) The background on this Pap stain consists of abundant lymphocytes. (D) On this high-power Pap stain, the abundant granular cytoplasm of oncocytes is clearly demonstrated. |
TERMINOLOGY
Synonyms
Adenolymphoma, papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum
ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS
Environmental Exposure
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