
Laryngeal papillomatosis or recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), with HPV 6 and HPV 11 accounting for 90% of cases.
Laryngeal papillomatosis occurs when benign tumors called papillomas grow in the larynx. Though there are more than 150 types of HPV, they do not all have the same symptoms.
Most people who encounter HPV never get affected by a related illness. However, a small number of people exposed to the HPV 6 or 11 virus develop laryngeal papillomas and genital warts.
Although scientists do not know what exactly causes the illnesses in some people, the virus is thought to be spread through sexual contact or through childbirth, when a mother with genital warts passes the virus to her baby.
Who is affected by laryngeal papillomatosis?
Laryngeal papillomatosis can occur in both adults and young children.
According to the estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), laryngeal papillomatosis affects 2 in 100,000 children under age 18. In the United States, laryngeal papillomatosis affects 2-3 in 100,000 adults.
What are signs and symptoms of laryngeal papillomatosis?
The most common symptom of laryngeal papillomatosis is progressive hoarseness.
Additional symptoms include:
How is laryngeal papillomatosis diagnosed?
In order to diagnose laryngeal papillomatosis, your doctor will assess your symptoms, medical history, and head and neck during a physical examination. Based on their findings, they may order one or more of the following tests:
- Laryngeal videostroboscopy: Involves inserting a flexible or rigid tube called an endoscope, which is attached to a video monitor and light source, to assess the function and vibration of the larynx.
- Direct laryngoscopy or microlaryngoscopy: Allows your doctor fully examine the vocal folds with high magnification. During the procedure, a biopsy may be performed, in which a sample of tissue is removed to check for inflammation or cancer cells.
How is laryngeal papillomatosis treated?
Currently, there is no cure for laryngeal papillomatosis. First-line treatment involves surgery to remove the tumors from the larynx. While this can be done via traditional surgical methods, laser surgery is preferred because traditional surgery has the potential to cause scarring of the larynx.
The recurrence rate of the tumors in laryngeal papillomatosis is high. As a result, multiple surgeries may be required.
If your doctor finds that the laryngeal papilloma is growing aggressively, a surgical procedure called tracheotomy may be performed. Tracheotomy involves making an incision in the front of the neck and inserting a breathing tube (endotracheal or ET tube) through the opening into the trachea. This allows the patient to breathe through the ET tube instead of through the mouth and nose.
In severe cases,medications may be administered before or after the surgery.:
- Interferon and cidofovir, which are antivirals
- Indole-3-carbinol, which is a cancer-fighting agent
- Bevacizumab, which is a medication that limits the growth of blood vessels that feed the papilloma

QUESTION
Condoms are the best protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Harman EM. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/302648-overview#
National Institutes of Health. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis or Laryngeal Papillomatosis. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/recurrent-respiratory-papillomatosis
Top What Causes Laryngeal Papillomatosis Related Articles
Can You Get HPV If You Are Not Sexually Active?
The human papillomavirus is transferred from person to person by skin-to-skin intimate contact with someone who has the infection. Transmission of HPV without sex, though uncommon, does happen.Can You Get Rid of HPV Once You Have It?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that is different from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes virus (HSV). It is the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. In most cases, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections can go away on their own.HPV Test
The Cervista HPV test (human papillomavirus infection test in women) is a screening test used with other tests such as Pap smear and colposcopy for screening the two HPV types most likely to cause cancer, and to identify all "high-risk" HPV types. Cervista HPV test is not recommended for routine screening or for women under the age of 30.cocaine
Cocaine is an ester anesthetic used topically to numb the mucous membranes of the oral, nasal and laryngeal cavities during procedures or surgeries in or through the nasal cavities. Common side effects from systemic absorption of cocaine include high blood pressure (hypertension), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), sinus tachycardia, slow heart rate (bradycardia), ECG abnormalities, irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), and others. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance, and misuse/abuse of cocaine can lead to dependence, addiction, overdose, convulsions, unconsciousness, coma, and death.Gardasil (HPV Vaccine)
Gardasil HPV Vaccine (Recombinant Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent Vaccine) is a vaccine synthesized using recombinant technology. Gardasil is a single dose injection. Gardasil is for the prevention of HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 infections in girls and women aged 9 to 26 years. Gardasil also approved for preventing genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 in males aged 9 to 26 years. Gardasil protects against cervical cancer, abnormal or precancerous cervical, vaginal, or vulvar lesions, and genital warts. Side effects of Gardasil include fever, vomiting, nausea, fainting, dizziness, pain, swelling, itching, or redness at the site of injection.Genital Warts Pictures
A wart in the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. See a picture of Genital Warts (HPV) and learn more about the health topic.Genital Warts (HPV) Infection in Women
Genital warts is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts look like raised, flesh-colored lumps. Learn about symptoms, transmission, and treatment.How Do You Know if You Have HPV in Your Throat?
Although most people infected with HPV remain asymptomatic, it may cause serious side effects, such as the following.HPV in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Tests, Treatment
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that infects half of the young adults aged 15-24 years each year in the United States. In general, genital (penis, scrotum) HPV infection has increased significantly over the past decades. HPV infection is caused when the HPV gets transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through oral, vaginal, or anal sex.HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infection
HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of viruses that infect human mucous membranes and skin. HPV is highly contagious. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and vaccines.Sexual Conditions: All About HPV
If you have sex, you'll probably have a form of this virus at some point in your life. Find out from WebMD how to protect yourself from HPV.Types of Warts
Plantar warts, genital warts, common warts, flat warts, and filiform warts are caused by infection with members of the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. The main symptom of a wart is a fleshy growth. Most warts resolve within a few months to 2 years. A weak immune system may be a risk factor for warts in the genital region and elsewhere.What Causes HPV in Females?
HPV — human papillomavirus — is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S., with over 75 million people being infected, most of them young adults. There are more than 150 strains of HPV.What Causes Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection that is transmitted through sexual activity. People can get an HPV infection by having vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone infected with the virus. HPV infections often resolve without treatment and do not cause any health problems. A persistent HPV infection though may lead to warts, cancer of the mouth and throat, and cervical cancer.