Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland. Epidemiological and clinical analysis of 127 cases

The aim of this study was a review of 127 patients treated for Warthin's tumor of parotid gland during 15-years period 1988-2003 in Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland. The age-standardised incidence rate of this tumor was 0.32/100,000. There were 73.2% males and 26.8% females. Age ranged at presentation from 18 to 88 years (average 59.8+/-11.6). Workers from cities over 100,000 inhabitants, with technical education constituted the largest group. Almost 70% of the patients were smokers. Most frequently patients reported slow enlargement of tumor (55.9%), presence of tumor (24.4%) and rapid tumor enlargement (7.1%). Average duration of symptoms was 27 months. The average size of the tumor was 36+/-19 mm. More than half of tumors had less than 30 mm in diameter. After histopathological assessment the average size of tumor was 21+/-17 mm and the tumors less than 30 mm in diameter were 73.1%. There were 2.4% of bilateral neoplasms. Pre-operative cytological examination was not correlated with histopathological examination in less than half of cases (39.5%). All patients were treated surgically and in 81.9% the parotidectomy was performed. The most common localization of the tumor (52.4%) was lower pole of parotid gland. There were also stated 12.4% multifocal neoplasms and 3.8% tumors arising extraglandularly. The main complication after surgical treatment was temporary or permanent facial nerve palsy (10.8%). In 1 case the residual tumor was observed which required reoperation. In time of postoperative observation up to 15 years 1 case (0.9%) of recurrence which required surgical intervention. We noted an increase in number of Warthin's tumor in the analysed period of time.