Warthin's tumor previously has been thought to occur much more commonl
y in men than in women and rarely in African Americans. One hundred th
irty-two cases of Warthin's tumor treated at The Johns Hopkins Hospita
l from 1952 to 1992 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 90 (68%)
men and 42 (32%) women, with an overall man-to-woman ratio of 2.2:1.
The number and percentage of women with Warthin's tumor increased over
each consecutive decade:1952 to 1962, 5 (21%); 1963 to 1972, 6 (29%);
1973 to 1982, 11 (31%); and 1983 to 1992, 20 (39%). A positive smokin
g history was found in 88% of the men and in 89% of the women with a W
arthin's turner. Eleven (8%) African Americans and 1 (0.75%) Asian Ame
rican were diagnosed to have a Warthin's tumor. Also, the incidence of
African Americans with a Warthin's tumor increased over each decade:
0 (0%), 1 (4.8%), 2 (5.5%), and 8 (16%). This study's results indicate
a progressive increase in the occurrence of this tumor in women and i
n African Americans and a higher overall incidence in African American
s than previously reported.