[Complications of surgical treatment in patients with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer]. / Powiklania leczenia operacyjnego raka krtani i gardla dolnego.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of patients with laryngeal or/and hypopharyngeal cancer is combined with potential risk of complications either local and general. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of them in the large cohort of patients with mentioned localization of cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group of 447 patients, treated between 2000-2005 in Department of Otolaryngology and Laryngological Oncology, Medical University of Lublin were analyzed retrospectively. There were 412 men and 35 women. 426 patients underwent surgical removal of the tumour without any reconstruction procedure. In 21 (4.7%) patients we performed reconstructions of the pharyngeal defect implementing pectoralis major muscle flap. Complications were classified into general and local. Furthermore, according to the time we classified sequel of the treatment into recent (those during the first 7 days after surgery) and late. Statistical analysis of variables was performed using χ² test. RESULTS: Uncomplicated treatment were accomplished in 78.6% of patients. Local complications occur in 65 (14.5%) and general in 31 (6.9%) individuals. Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula was the most often occurring local sequel which constituted 50.8% of all local complications. Fistula developed in 33 (7.4%) cases. Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases were the most often among general complications. They occur at the same rate of 25.8% of all general complications cases. Five patients (1.1%) died due to complications developed during the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: We noticed 10.6% local complications in our group of patients whereas only 2.5% of treated persons developed general sequel. The pharyngo-cutaneous fistula was the most often occurring local complication. It has been treated surgically in 15 (45.5%) patients. Whereas cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases were the most often general complications and they occur in above half of all cases with general complications.

[The evaluation of apoptosis in peripheral blood lymphocytes in laryngeal cancer patients]. / Ocena apoptozy limfocytów krwi obwodowej u chorych leczonych z powodu raka krtani.

UNLABELLED: The laryngeal cancer is the most often cancer among others in head and neck region. It occurs mostly among 55 and 69. Its development depends on immunological state of the body. Vitality of the immunological system cells was considered due to growth, treatment sensitivity and prognosis of some neoplasms. The aim of this work were estimation and comparison the phenomenon of lymphocytes T and B apoptosis in laryngeal cancer patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material were 30 patients hospitalized in The Department of Otolaryngology Medical University of Lublin. They all were treated with surgery or surgery and radiotherapy. Apoptosis was estimated on different stages of the treatment process. All samples were examined with the flow cytometry method. The control group were 21 patients hospitalized because of the suspicion of the apnea syndrome, which wasn't confirmed with polysomnographic examination. RESULTS: Results of this study show significantly increasing percentage of peripheral blood apoptotic B (CD19+) cells caused by surgical treatment. The results considering radiotherapy showed different influence on the phenomenon of immunological cells apoptosis, still those results weren't significant. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical treatment causes increased amount of apoptotic peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Dendritic cells based immunotherapy of patient with chondrosarcoma--case report.

We present a case report of patient with intracranial chondrosarcoma and attempt to use vaccination of dendritic cells as the salvage therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of DCs vaccination in the head and neck chondrosarcoma. Immunotherapy with allogeneic DCs stimulated with tumor cell lysates in this case was demonstrated to be feasible, safe and well tolerated. Unfortunately we did not observe any clinical or immune response during vaccination. CD4+ and CD8+ regulatory cells could be responsible for ineffectiveness of immunotherapy.

[Knowledge of methods of prophylaxis and treatment of influenza and its complications among first year students]. / Wiedza na temat metod zapobiegania i leczenia grypy oraz powiklan pogrypowych wsród studentów pierwszego roku.

Influenza has been known since antiquity and still large numbers of people are affected with it, which results in numerous deaths around the world. Prophylactic vaccinations are a cost-effective comparing to costs of treatment of influenza and its complications. The aim of the study was determination of knowledge of first year students on methods of prophylaxis and treatment of influenza and its complications. It was found that the knowledge on influenza prophylaxis was widespread among students and the main sources of information were general practitioners as well as family and friends. The decision on declining vaccination was based mainly on the confidence of good state of health. Students who have been vaccinated against influenza know benefits of this form of prophylaxis but not always are familiar with contraindications. The majority of vaccinated group would recommend this form of prophylaxis to others.