title: Isotretinoin therapy for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
abstract: Retinoic acid has been advocated for use in several premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions of the head and neck, including benign recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, with varying results. We describe a 24-year-old man with extensive tracheoesophageal and bronchoalveolar papillomatosis that degenerated into squamous cell carcinoma. Multiple endoscopic carbon dioxide laser excisions, at one point performed on a weekly basis, as well as a prolonged trial of interferon, failed to control the progression of his disease. Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) therapy (1 mg/kg per day) was instituted, with dramatic clinical, radiographic, and functional improvement. The patient experienced no significant toxic effects and required no endoscopic procedures over a 6-month period. We propose that isotretinoin may be an effective adjuvant therapy for aggressive respiratory papillomatosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Eicher
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Taylor-Cooley
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Donovan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010212:Papilloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D012142:Respiratory Tract Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015474:Isotretinoin