Neoplasms induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are generally associated to high-risk HPV types. Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare and chronic HPV-related disease characterized by papillomatous lesions in the respiratory tract, usually affecting larynx. RRP rarely comprises malignant transformation since the low-risk HPV-6 and/or HPV-11 are the most commonly found in the disease. We described a case of one adult-onset RRP (29-year-old, female) with HPV-6 infection affecting vocal folds and extra-laryngeal sites. Computed tomographic scan of the chest revealed papillomatosis with pulmonary spread showing multiple nodules and cavities. Lung involvement later progressed to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Patient's pregnancy during investigations may have accelerated lung carcinoma development due to immunological changes. Immunohistochemistry revealed PD-L1 high expression in tumor biopsy and, after pregnancy, the oncology treatment included a combination of pembrolizumab (PD-L1 inhibitor) to chemotherapy and also radiotherapy, showing considerable results. Patient died due to lung cancer complications 15 months after cancer diagnosis. RRP management associated with lung involvement and poor prognostic outcome, such as lung carcinoma, is still a big challenge. In this report, we described the clinical and treatment course of RRP progression to highlight the need for attention to future patients.
Keywords: Lung involvement; Lung squamous cell carcinoma; PD-L1 inhibitor; Pembrolizumab; Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.