Warthin's tumor: a 40-year experience at The Johns Hopkins Hospital

Abstract

Warthin's tumor previously has been thought to occur much more commonly in men than in women and rarely in African Americans. One hundred thirty-two cases of Warthin's tumor treated at The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1952 to 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 90 (68%) men and 42 (32%) women, with an overall man-to-woman ratio of 2.2:1. The number and percentage of women with Warthin's tumor increased over each consecutive decade: 1952 to 1962, 5 (21%); 1963 to 1972, 6 (29%); 1973 to 1982, 11 (31%); and 1983 to 1992, 20 (39%). A positive smoking history was found in 88% of the men and in 89% of the women with a Warthin's tumor. Eleven (8%) African Americans and 1 (0.75%) Asian American were diagnosed to have a Warthin's tumor. Also, the incidence of African Americans with a Warthin's tumor increased over each decade: 0 (0%), 1 (4.8%), 2 (5.5%), and 8 (16%). This study's results indicate a progressive increase in the occurrence of this tumor in women and in African Americans and a higher overall incidence in African Americans than previously reported.