Juvenile Laryngeal Papillomatosis

Surgical Treatment and Chinese Medicine as Adjuvant Therapy

Abstract

Juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis develops between the ages of 6 months and 4-5 years and runs a multiple and recurrent clinical course. There were 61 patients with laryngeal papillomatosis treated at Keio university hospital during the 20-year period between May 1981 and May 2001, of whom 20 patients were under the age of 15 at onset. The average number of repeated operations they received was 18.1, showing the pronounced multiple, recurrent trend of this disease. Treatment is basically laryngomicrosurgery using a CO₂ laser, and attempts should be made to conserve normal mucosa as much as is practicable as well as to improve phonation and respiratory function, in addition to targeting the total resection of the tumor. As the human papilloma virus, which is etiologically responsible for the formation of papillomas, grows in the mucosal epithelium, it is in principle, sufficient to vapolize the epithelial layer alone, avoiding a deeper intervention than is required. Tracheostomy should be avoided wherever feasible because it may cause tumor dissemination. Development of effective adjuvant therapy, besides surgery, is also generally anticipated. Efficacy of interferon-α in this disease has been demonstrated and indole 3 carbinol (I3C), a major component of cabbage, and the antiviral agent cidofovir are also currently used. Independently, we focused on Chinese medicines, prescribing this type of herbal medicines in anticipation of their effects for contraction of residual tumor and preventive effects against recurrence. It is worth noting that favorable results have been observed in 6 of the 10 patients receiving Chinese medicines whose therapeutic responses could be evaluated.