Spontaneous regression of adult-onset recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis after lifestyle improvement : a case report

Abstract

We report a case of adult-onset recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis that spontaneously regressed after lifestyle improvement. A 47-year-old man visited our hospital with a two-year history of hoarseness. We diagnosed him with laryngeal papillomatosis and removed the papillomatous mass of the vocal folds through a phonomicrosurgical procedure. At the same time, he started taking a traditional Japanese medicine (yokuinin [coix seed]). The tumor recurred in the bilateral vocal folds and was removed surgically each time. After the sixth operation, the tumor recurred once more, but then spontaneously shrunk and ultimately disappeared. According to the patient, soon after the sixth operation, he began diet improvement and an exercise habit for the purpose of health care. He subsequently reached an appropriate body weight and regular bowel movements and felt that his physical condition improved substantially. Spontaneous regression has sometimes occurred in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated lesions, including laryngeal papillomatosis. Host immune responses are thought to play a crucial role in the progression or regression of HPV-associated lesions. A causative role for lifestyle improvement in the tumor regression was not proven in this case, but it shows that spontaneous regression can occur in cases of adult-onset intractable recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis.