In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a 9-valent human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for the prevention of oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by certain HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) in pediatric and adult patients (ages 9-45) [1]. HPV vaccination has additionally shown promise as a prevention method and adjuvant treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis [2] [3], which is associated with HPV types 6 and 11. The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery supports both FDA approved use of HPV vaccination to prevent head and neck cancers and evidence-based, off-label use to prevent and treat recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; clinicians and patients (or their guardians for pediatric patients) should engage in shared decision-making to determine whether off-label use is warranted based on individual circumstances.
Originally Published: October 2016
Revised: May 2026
References:
- Prescribing Highlights https://www.fda.gov/media/186364/download?attachment
- Goon P, Sauzet O, Schuermann M, Oppel F, Shao S, Scholtz LU, Sudhoff H, Goerner M. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)-Meta-analyses on the use of the HPV vaccine as adjuvant therapy. NPJ Vaccines. 2023 Apr 1;8(1):49. doi: 10.1038/s41541-023-00644-8. PMID: 37005390; PMCID: PMC10067830.
- R.Best, A. D.Friedman, C. A.Rosen, et al., “Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Foundation Position Statement on the Management of Adults With RRP,” The Laryngoscope (2026): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.70379.
Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.
