Warthin's tumor biopsy

Warthin's tumor Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Warthin's tumor from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Biopsy
Treatment
Surgery
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Case Studies
Case #1
Warthin's tumor biopsy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Warthin's tumor biopsy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Warthin's tumor biopsy
CDC on Warthin's tumor biopsy
Warthin's tumor biopsy in the news
Blogs on Warthin's tumor biopsy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Warthin's tumor
Risk calculators and risk factors for Warthin's tumor biopsy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]

Overview

On biopsy, Warthin's tumor is characterized by cystic spaces surrounded by two uniform rows of cells with centrally placed pyknotic nuclei, papillae with a two rows of pink epithelial cells, and lymphoid stroma.

Biopsy

Salivary gland biopsy is the most important test for diagnosis of Warthin's tumor.

Microscopic Pathology

• The appearance of this tumor under the microscope is unique. There are cystic spaces surrounded by two uniform rows of cells with centrally placed pyknotic nuclei.
• The cystic spaces have epithelium referred to as papillary infoldings that protude into them. Additionally, the epithelium has lymphoid stroma with germinal center formation.
• Papillae (nipple-shaped structures) with a two rows of pink (eosinophilic) epithelial cells (with cuboidal basal cells and columnar luminal cells)
• Fibrous capsule - pink & homogenous on H&E stain
• Cystic space filled with debris in situ (not necrosis)
• Lymphoid stroma
• Additionally, the epithelium has lymphoid stroma with germinal center formation.

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. H&E stain

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Another view of a file "Warthin tumor (1).jpg". H&E stain..

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Higher magnification of a file "Warthin tumor (1).jpg". H&E stain.

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Image courtesy of Nephron librepathology (original file ‘’here’’). Creative Commons BY­SA­NC

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Image courtesy of Nephron librepathology (original file ‘’here’’). Creative Commons BY­SA­NC

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Image courtesy of Nephron librepathology (original file ‘’here’’). Creative Commons BY­SA­NC

• 

  Histopathology of Warthin tumor in the parotid gland. Image courtesy of Nephron librepathology (original file ‘’here’’). Creative Commons BY­SA­NC