Dos
- Do attend regular surveillance appointments even after successful removal
Laryngeal Papilloma
Consultant-led diagnosis and management of laryngeal papilloma, wart-like growths on the vocal cords caused by HPV.
What is the condition?
Laryngeal papillomas are benign, wart-like growths on the vocal cords or airway caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). They can occur in both children and adults, and have a tendency to recur after removal, meaning ongoing specialist follow-up is usually needed.
Symptoms
What to look out for?
Papillomas can affect both voice and, if they grow large, the airway.
- Progressive hoarseness
- Noisy breathing if papillomas affect the airway
- Recurrent symptoms after previous treatment
Treatment
What can be done?
Papillomas are removed with microlaryngoscopy, and regular surveillance is needed as recurrence is common. In frequently recurring cases, adjuvant treatments alongside surgery may be considered.
- Microlaryngoscopy to remove papillomas
- Regular surveillance endoscopy
- Adjuvant therapy for frequently recurring disease
Prevention
What should I do?
Don'ts
- Don't assume one successful removal rules out recurrence