Predictors of Clinically Aggressive Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Abstract

RRP is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx, and requires frequent surgical therapy resulting in over $109 million health care costs annually. RRP has been linked to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11. It is characterized by hyperplastic tissue growth in the upper respiratory tract. This condition causes hoarseness in early stages and can obstruct the airway if untreated. As the name infers, recurrence is characteristic of RRP. Some patients must undergo surgical treatment monthly, while others require much less frequent interventions. The clinical course of RRP is widely variable with some patients requiring frequent surgical intervention while others experience relatively benign disease progression. Pediatric patients with RRP typically require more frequent surgical interventions and have a more aggressive disease course. Increased epithelial proliferation and progression of several disease processes, including cancer, have been linked to chronic inflammation. In particular, HPV-caused cervical cancer has been shown to have significant dependence on chronic inflammation for progression to invasive cancer. Introduction Methods Conclusions