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The Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Department of Wrocław University Hospital has a history of research and treatment of laryngeal cancer spanning over 40 years. In response to the rapid growth in cancer occurrence, morbidity, and mortality, and in particular head and neck cancers, after the Second World War Polish doctors developed numerous programmes and established facilities dedicated to tackling this problem. Professor Stanisław Iwankiewicz, the rector of Wrocław Medical University in the 1970s and the director its Department of Laryngology, played a major role in the development of laryngeal cancer diagnosis and treatment methods in Poland. Building on its historical role in cancer research, treatment, and prevention, the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of Wrocław Medical University continues to participate and lead on numerous programmes in this area. In 2019, the department participated in the Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week. This study analysed data from 27 patients (15 male, 12 female), who completed the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) questionnaire and were consulted by earnosethorat (ENT) specialists. Results confirm the usefulness of the PCI questionnaire and emphasise the importance of education in strengthening the prevention of head and neck neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the most severe conditions that medicine has to deal with. It is often associated with depressed mood, weakness, and apathy. The patient has a feeling of helplessness and feels the need to isolate himself from the world. These symptoms are intensified in palliative patients, where the pain and limitation of the body's performance significantly worsen the patient's emotional state. In many patients, a period of regret, anger and sadness begins when the diagnosis is established. The above conditions often intensify the feeling of pain as an inherent negative symptom of a cancer disease. An analysis of the intensity of pain was carried out in the study, paying attention to differences between sexes. The quality of life of a patient with cancer was also assessed, taking into account anxiety, depression and physical activity. For this purpose, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for assessment of pain intensity was used, the Visual Analog Pain Relief Scale, modified scales to assess depression and anxiety (HADS-M) and the Karnofsky Performance Status. After analysis of the data obtained, it was found that about half of the patients diagnosed with neoplastic disease presented symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, including severe states. These complaints prevailed in female patients. Everyday physical activity was rated as quite good. In terms of pain, the largest group consisted of patients who did not report pain or reported mild pain. The severity of pain was higher in women than in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]