Warthin's tumour associated with autoimmune diseases and tobacco use

To better clarify the possible role of immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Warthin's tumour (WT), we performed a retrospective study of patients with WT surgically treated at the Institute of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Florence, during a 25-year period; looking for a possible association with autoimmune pathologies. The retrospective analysis of clinical records of 140 WT patients compared with those of 380 patients with pleomorphic adenoma revealed a higher incidence of autoimmune disorders, particularly organ-specific disease (i.e. insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism) in WT patients than in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) patients (23% vs 3%; R.R.: 8.69; p < 0.0001). Moreover, we demonstrate a positive smoking history in 87% of WT patients compared to only 38% of PA subjects (p < 0.001). Because of the well-known possible association among multiple immune disorders, our data support the hypothesis of an immune pathogenesis of WT and also suggest the possible role of tobacco smoke in facilitating such immune reactions responsible for the lympho-epithelial coexistence of WT.