Incidental finding of upper lip Warthin tumor.

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Warthin tumor, a benign salivary gland neoplasm, typically occurs in the parotid gland.
• Minor salivary gland tumors are uncommon, with Warthin tumors being particularly rare in these locations.
• This case highlights an incidental diagnosis during management of a separate oral lesion.

Observation:

• A 32-year-old male presented with a cheek biting lesion.
• An incidental solid mass was noted in the upper lip mucosa during clinical examination.
• The mass was identified as a Warthin tumor of minor salivary glands.

Findings:

• Mini-invasive surgical treatment achieved radical excision of both the cheek lesion and the upper lip Warthin tumor.
• A 12-month follow-up confirmed complete wound healing and no recurrence of either pathology.
• Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) plays a critical role in diagnosing minor salivary gland tumors.

Implications:

• The unusual location of this Warthin tumor underscores the importance of thorough clinical examination.
• Imaging and FNAC are crucial for diagnosis, localization, and treatment planning of minor salivary gland tumors.
• Local excision with wide tumor-free margins is the recommended surgical approach to prevent recurrence.