National Programme for Prevention and Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer

550,000 new cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx and 160,000 of larynx are diagnosed each year worldwide. It is estimated that each year because of head and neck cancer 400,000 of patients will die. Head and neck neoplasms are the tumors which, because of their location, secretly develop and produce uncharacteristic symptoms identical to those that accompany the banal infections of the upper respiratory tract. Results of treatment of patients with head and neck cancer in Poland are highly unsatisfactory. This is due to significant advancement of tumor at the moment of diagnosis. Therefore, raising awareness and improving knowledge of health care workers on head and neck cancers by creating access to prevention research is a priority that will ensure improvement in treatment outcomes in this group of tumors in Poland and abroad.

[Use of the lymphoscintigraphy in detection of sentinel lymph nodes of the neck]

Technique of the application of radioactive tracer to the primary tumor and lymphoscintigraphy with use of the stationary and handheld gamma probe was presented. Various types of the used radioactive tracers were characterized. Scintigraphical criteria for sentinel nodes recognition were discussed. Advantages and limitations of the use of lymphoscintigraphy for sentinel nodes detection were described. Necessity of further study to determine feasibility of sentinel nodes radiolocalization in stage N0 in head and neck cancer was pointed out.

[Hydrodynamic coupling and its role in metachronal coordination of cilia movements]

Generation of the metachronal wave as the result of hydrodynamic coupling is presented. Different types of metachronal waves and agents influencing their length and spread direction are described. Importance of the metachronal coordination for effectiveness of the mucociliary transport are underlined.

[A case of inverted papilloma of the nose and sinuses]

Two cases of inverted papilloma with unilateral nasal obstruction since 2 years, bleeding from the nose and headache are described. Surgical treatment was applied. Histological examination revealed inverted papilloma.

[Functional coordination of upper airway ciliated cells]

Generation mechanism of the "calcium wave" in ciliated cells is presented. Influence of this phenomenon on ciliary activity is pointed out.

[Role of sentinel lymph nodes in treatment of head and neck cancer]

Current points of view on significance of sentinel node biopsy in No-neck are presented and at the same time is pointed out the importance of this technique for the detection of occult cervical metastases. Methods of identification of the sentinel lymph nodes are described. Usefulness of the handheld gamma probe to determine the position of sentinel nodes during operative procedure was emphasised.

[Nitric oxide: an important regulator of ciliary epithelial function of the upper respiratory tract]

Importance of nitric oxide in regulation of ciliary activity and secretion of the mucin was discussed. Advantage of measurement of nasal nitric oxide concentration in course of maxillary sinuses diseases was emphasized.

[Thoracic duct cyst]

Patient aged 48 with the cyst of the cervical part of thoracic duct was described. Cyst appeared as the result of inflammation. Histopathological examination excluded the cystic lymphangioma.

[Heterotopic salivary gland imitating laryngeal cyst]

Patient aged 56 with heterotropic salivary gland in vestibule of the larynx was described. Localization of heterotropic salivary tissue in the larynx is very rare.

[The use of fibrin glue in otorhinolaryngology]

Biochemical and physiological principles of biological sealing are presented. Various methods of application of biological seal and indications for its use in otorhinolaryngology are discussed.

[Acute fibromatosis from the standpoint of otolaryngology]

Aggressive fibromatosis in the otolaryngological region is a curious clinical entity, demanding accurate histopathologic interpretation. It is rare connective tissue tumor, which growth infiltratively with a destructive biological behaviour similar to malignant tumours and a high recurrence rate. Morphologically reactive fibromatosis and fibrosarcoma should be considered amongst others in differential diagnosis. CT and MR scans are useful in determining the extent of the tumors and help to distinguish the tumor from nerves, vessels and bone. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Our observations of the course of disease in the maxillary sinus, nasal cavity and nasopharynx confirmed the date in literature.