title: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: management with the CO2 laser.
abstract: Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is most common in childhood but it affects all age groups; it represents a diathesis of the aerodigestive tract so that lesions amy develop at various sites - the nares, lips, pharynx, nasopharynx, larynx, tracheobronchial tree, approximately one-third of patients for one year or more; since relapses amy occasionally occur 2 to 20 years later, cure can never be assumed. At the present time, management is directed towards total ablation of all visble papilloma consistent with preservation of the airway and voice; reduction of the tumor burden to minimal proportions is thought to allow the maximum opportunity for remission. As the host-papilloma relationship is unraveled, it may be possible in the future to provoke an immune response so that remissions can be predicted and produced consistently.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014140:Tracheotomy
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide