Familial Warthin's tumor. 1. Its synchronous occurrence in mother and son. 2. Its association with cystic oncocytic metaplasia of the larynx.

Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland is an unusual tumor for which a number of theories of pathogenesis have been advanced through the years, ranging from a branchiogenic origin to an embryonic lymph node origin to true neoplasia from parotid epithelial duct cells. Recently Allegra has suggested that Warthin's tumor may be a hypersensitivity disease. Presented here are two unique cases of Warthin's tumor, having both a familial relationship (synchronous occurrence in mother and son) and the association with cystic oncocytic metaplasia of the larynx. Observations lead to the conclusion that the lesion is primarily metaplastic, not neoplastic, with a secondary lymphoid reaction of the delayed hypersensitivity type.