Question

What is the most effective treatment for a Warthin's tumor?

• A. Superficial parotidectomy
• B. Deep parotidectomy
• C. Enucleation
• D. Radiotherapy

Hint:

Warthin's tumor arises in the tail of the superficial parotid lobe.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall what a Warthin's tumor is.
Warthin's tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum) is the second most common benign salivary gland tumour, almost always found in the tail of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. It can be bilateral and is strongly linked to smoking.

Step 2: Think about the surgical goal.
Like pleomorphic adenoma, this tumour sits in the superficial lobe, so it needs an operation that removes the tumour with a margin of normal gland while protecting the facial nerve that runs through this area.

Step 3: Match this to the surgery.
Superficial parotidectomy removes the superficial lobe along with the tumour and a safe margin, and lets the surgeon identify and spare the facial nerve. This gives complete removal with a low recurrence rate and is the standard operation.

Step 4: Rule out the other options.
Deep parotidectomy is for tumours in the deep lobe below the facial nerve, which is not where Warthin's tumor typically arises.
Enucleation just shells out the mass without a safety margin; it risks leaving tumour tissue behind and is not the preferred approach for parotid tumours.
Radiotherapy has no established role as primary treatment for this benign tumour; surgery is curative and radiotherapy is unnecessary here.

Step 5: Final answer.
The most effective treatment for Warthin's tumor is
\[ \boxed{\text{Superficial parotidectomy}} \]