Recurrent Respiratory Papillomas
What is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)?
Benign papilloma tumors in the airway
Enlarge+Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign tumor of the larynx in children and the most common cause of pediatric hoarseness.
What causes recurrent respiratory papillomatosis?
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is believed to be the cause, or one of the causes of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. HPV subtypes 6 and 11 are most commonly associated with RRP, but type 11 appears to be more aggressive and more associated with airway obstruction, a spread into the lungs, and the need for a tracheostomy.
What are the signs of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis?
The most common symptoms of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis are:
- Chronic hoarseness
- Stridor (noisy breathing)
- Respiratory distress
Other symptoms of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis may be imstaken for conditions such as asthma, croup, allergy, bronchitis and vocal cord nodules. They include:
- Chronic cough
- Episodes of choking
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Failure to thrive
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty swallowing
How is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis treated?
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is treated with surgery to debride (remove) the benign growth from the airway without damaging the underlying structures, such as the vocal folds. The debriding process may be done using a variety of techniques:
- Microdebrider tool
- Carbon dioxide laser
- Surgical instruments
- Pulsed dye laser
Your child's surgeon will select the method that best meets your child's needs.
Children who develop recurrent respiratory papillomatosis before the age of 3 usually have frequent recurrences and will require multiple surgical debridement procedures during the first few years of life.
Will my child have to take medications?
When recurrent respiratory papillomatosis continues to occur even after repeated surgical debridements, or when it spreads to the lungs, additional therapy with medications is needed. Drugs used include cidofovir, interferon alpha and other experimental chemotherapeutic regimens. Responses to the drugs tend to vary.
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For more information about the conditions we treat or for help with airway problems, please contact us at 215-590-3440 and ask for the Airway Center coordinator.
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