This virus causes warty growths in several parts of the body, most often affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Cells infected with the virus are felt to have a failure in their normal maturation process. In contrast to laryngeal cancer, the abnormal cells do not divide more rapidly than normal cells nor do they show shows signs of what is called atypia or dysplasia. It is unusual for infected tissue to produce new viruses. However, the viruses can remain inactive after infecting tissue and then later become active following injury or irritation of the tissue.
Papillomas tend to occur most often along certain regions of the upper airway.
These areas include the vocal folds themselves, the lower portion of the larynx, the nasopharynx, and just inside the nose. At these regions the lining of the airway changes from one tissue type to another, and it is felt that this transition increases the likelihood of papilloma growth. These infections are much more serious and more difficult to take care of since airway obstruction can occur more rapidly. RRPs are usually divided into a juvenile onset and an adult onset form. The juvenile form tends to be more aggressive and requires more frequent removal.