What course does RRP generally take?
The disease usually first attacks the larynx. In adults, the initial symptom is hoarseness. In young children, there may also be stridor. [If you have a child who has difficulty breathing when sleeping, see a physician right away. One footnote: A number of obstetricians and pediatricians have misdiagnosed this disease. Physicians treating young children need to educate themselves about Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis. Failure to properly diagnose this disease could lead to obstruction of the airway.] In most persons, the disease will stay localized to the larynx. It can also infect the trachea. In most instances, when it does this, it does so as a result of some significant tracheal trauma which causes epithelial changes that facilitate Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis growth in the trachea. It is important to avoid tracheotomy procedures in RRP patients since this seems to lead to growth of papillomas in the trachea. Some patients can require surgery every couple of weeks jus
