Papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum (Warthin's tumor) in patients in a general hospital over a 24-year period.

One hundred thirty-seven Warthin's tumors from 120 patients seen during a 23 1/2 year period were studied as two groups. The first group consisted of 32 tumors removed by the otolaryngology department. Material from these cases was re-examined microscopically for evidence of tumor occurrence within lymph nodes located inside and outside the parotid gland. This group of 32 tumors was also studied as part of the second group, 105 additional lesions removed by the surgery department. Data on patient age, sex, and race, as well as tumor multiplicity, location, and size were incorporated into a single statistical analysis. Seventy-two percent of the tumors in the first group were intranodal in location. Second primary Warthin's tumors occurred in 13 (11%) of the patients. Eight occult tumors were identified, and their importance is discussed. A single Negro, a man, was found among 118 patients. The observed frequency of the tumor was twentyfold less than expected among the Negro population.