The major part of the examined patients were women and men with the secondary and high level of education, 47,76% and 35,82%, and 58,97% and 35,91% respectively. The patients were informed by mass media about the planned preventive medical examinations - 80,60% women and 79,49% men. The most common symptoms reported by women were: hoarse voice in 61,19% cases, dysphagia in 32,84% cases and burning sensation and/or pain in the oral cavity in 29,85% cases. The examined male patients mainly showed hoarse voice (46,15%), other symptoms (43,59%) and dysphagia (25,64%). 28,35% women and 28,20% men smoked cigarettes, while passive smokers were 22,38% and 25,64% respectively. Alcohol consumption was reported by 67,16% women and 82,05% men, rather occasionally. Having oral sex was noted in 25,37% women and 38,46% men, mostly with multiple sexual partners. Among the studied patients, 13,43% women and 5,12% men suffered from malignant cancer, including 2,98% women and 2,56% men who reported head and neck carcinoma in the medical interview. On the basis of the interview and ENT examination, 11,94% women and 17,94% men were qualified for the extended oncological diagnostics. Conclussion. The Fourth Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week shows the increased interest in preventive screening, especially oncological screening, and thus the necessity of such preventive activities in the future.

INTRODUCTION: Novel endoscopic technique - Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) seems to be a promising method for an early detection of neoplastic lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Compared to white light endoscopy, NBI improves the visualisation of the mucosal and submucosal microvascular patterns of observed pathologies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of biopsy and NBI in patients with cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 100 adult subjects hospitalized in the Clinic of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics of Military Medical Academy University Teaching Hospital in Lodz, who were planned for surgical procedures for excision or surgical biopsy of pathological lesions of the hypopharynx or larynx. The following examinations were performed: subjective and objective, otorhinolaryngological, NBI endoscopy and histopathological assessment of suspicious lesions. The microvascular pattern of observed lesions was assessed according to the Ni scale criteria. The next stage of the study was to compare the endoscopic examination results (type of vascular pattern according to the Ni scale) with the histopathological result. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The sensitivity of NBI endoscopy in detection of malignant neoplasms in patients with hypopharynx and larynx lesions is 90.48%, specificity 91.14%, positive predictive value 73.08%, negative predictive value 97.30%. CONCLUSIONS: NBI endoscopy is a modern imaging method, increasing the diagnostic potential of endoscopy in the early detection of malignant lesions within the hypopharynx and larynx.

<b>Introduction:</b> The aim of the study was to present selected cases with Eagle’s syndrome diagnosed and treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, Medical University of Lodz, in the years 2016–2020. <br><b>Material and method:</b> Five selected clinical cases with Eagle’s syndrome are presented, including three male patients and two female patients, aged 28 to 42 years. <br><b>Results:</b> The prevalence of Eagle’s syndrome was similar for both female and male patients. The carotid artery syndrome, which is characterized by: visual disturbances, unilateral pain located along cervical vessels, headache and migraine, was more common. Lack of proper diagnosis of Eagle’s syndrome often significantly delays the implementation of proper treatment and thus exposes patients to long-term struggle with pain. Our observations have shown that the time between the onset of symptoms and correct diagnosis in patients averaged about five years. 3D-CT scan is the gold standard for detecting Eagle’s syndrome. An intraoral approach was used in surgical treatment. Although this approach offers shorter treatment time and better cosmetic effect, there is also a greater risk of complications associated with limited visibility of the surgical field and infection. <br><b>Conclusions:</b> Although styloid syndrome usually occurs bilaterally, these patients reported unilateral symptoms. No correlations were found between the prevalence of Eagle’s syndrome and sex, the length of the styloid process or age, nor side of the body. The best healing effect is obtained by surgical correction/reduction of the elongated styloid process.