The diagnostic value of cytology in parotid Warthin's tumors: international multicenter series

Daniele Borsetto*, Jonathan M. Fussey, Diego Cazzador, Joel Smith, Andrea Ciorba, Stefano Pelucchi, Sara Donà, Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, Michele Tomasoni, Davide Lombardi, Piero Nicolai, Elisabetta Zanoletti, Roberta Colangeli, Enzo Emanuelli, Max S. Osborne, Syed F. Ahsan, Margherita Tofanelli, Giancarlo Tirelli, Katherine McNamara, Leonard LiewKatherine Harrison, Ambrogio Fassina, Samantha Sarcognato, Neil Sharma, Kanishka Rao, Paul Pracy, Paul Nankivell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Warthin's tumor (WT) is a common benign salivary gland neoplasm with a negligible risk of malignant transformation. However, there is a risk of malignant tumors being misdiagnosed as WT on cytology and inappropriately managed conservatively. Methods: Patients from nine centers in Italy and the United Kingdom undergoing parotid surgery for cytologically diagnosed WT were included in this multicenter retrospective series. Definitive histology was compared with preoperative cytological diagnoses. Surgical complications were recorded. Results: A total of 496 tumors were identified. In 88.9%, the final histological diagnosis was WT. In 21 cases (4.2%) a malignant neoplasm was diagnosed, which had been incorrectly labeled as WT on cytology. Conclusions: The risk of undiagnosed malignancy should be balanced against surgical risks when considering the management of WT. Although nonsurgical management remains an appropriate option, there may be a rationale for serial clinical or radiological evaluation if surgical excision is not performed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)522-529
Number of pages8
JournalHead and Neck
Volume42
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • extracapsular dissection
  • facial nerve palsy
  • fine needle aspiration cytology
  • parotid
  • parotidectomy
  • Warthin's tumor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The diagnostic value of cytology in parotid Warthin's tumors: international multicenter series'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this