Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a condition caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) that occurs in both children and adults, characterized by recurrent growths of intraluminal papillomas in the airway, usually in the larynx. Patients present with dysphonia (both roughness and breathiness), coughing, and eventually airway obstruction. The most common causative HPV types are HPV6 and HPV11. RRP has a significant adverse effect on quality of life. In the absence of a curative treatment, patients have to undergo frequent surgical procedures. Some patients require more than a 100 procedures. Several adjuvant therapies have been proposed to reduce the severity of disease and the number of surgical interventions. The introduction of vaccines against HPV6 and HPV11 can reduce the incidence of RRP.