Elucidating the inflammatory mechanisms underlying formation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is crucial for discovering new targeted therapeutics. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 has proven roles in tumor formation, growth, and metastasis. The presence of IL-17 is demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo models, and in OSCC patients, is mostly accompanied by enhanced proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells. Here we review the known facts regarding the role of IL-17 in OSCC pathogenesis, namely the IL-17 mediated production of proinflammatory mediators that mobilize and activate myeloid cells with suppressive and proangiogenic activities and proliferative signals that directly induce proliferation of cancer cells and stem cells. The possibility of a potential IL-17 blockade in OSCC therapy is also discussed.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is a well‑differentiated tumor that occurs in several histological variants whose biological behaviors remain unclear. Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are critical processes that enable tumor progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic phenotypes of PTC, considering the differences between histological variants. Angiogenic and lymphangiogenic profiles were analyzed by determining microvascular density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in 73 cases of PTC, using immunohistochemistry. To assess the biological markers involved in blood and lymph vessel formation, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‑2), and p27kip1 (p27) was determined. MVD was significantly higher in patients with high‑risk PTC and in those with local extrathyroidal and vascular invasion. Positive VEGF expression was strongly associated with high MVD and age‑related tumor enlargement. The presence of lymph vessel invasion was associated with the expression of either VEGF or COX‑2. The analysis of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in different histological variants of PTC revealed elevated LVD rather than MVD in the follicular variant of PTC (FV‑PTC).Lower MVD was observed in FV‑PTC relative to the classic variant of PTC (CV‑PTC). The frequency of VEGF‑positive tumors was higher in CV‑PTC than in FV‑PTC. A significant association between COX‑2 and p27 expression was observed in FV‑PTC but not in CV‑PTC. These results suggest that VEGF, COX‑2, and p27 may be important biological markers that determine the angiogenic and lymphangiogenic potentials of PTC, particularly between the follicular and classic variants.

Background: Early prediction of COVID-19 patients’ mortality risk may be beneficial in adequate triage and risk assessment. Therefore, we aimed to single out the independent morality predictors of hospitalized COVID-19 patients among parameters available on hospital admission. Methods: An observational, retrospective–prospective cohort study was conducted on 703 consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the University Clinical Center Kragujevac between September and December 2021. Patients were followed during the hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality was observed as a primary end-point. Within 24 h of admission, patients were sampled for blood gas and laboratory analysis, including complete blood cell count, inflammation biomarkers and other biochemistry, coagulation parameters, and cardiac biomarkers. Socio-demographic and medical history data were obtained using patients’ medical records. Results: The overall prevalence of mortality was 28.4% (n = 199). After performing multiple regression analysis on 20 parameters, according to the initial univariate analysis, only four independent variables gave statistically significant contributions to the model: SaO2 < 88.5 % (aOR 3.075), IL-6 > 74.6 pg/mL (aOR 2.389), LDH > 804.5 U/L (aOR 2.069) and age > 69.5 years (aOR 1.786). The C-index of the predicted probability calculated using this multivariate logistic model was 0.740 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Parameters available on hospital admission can be beneficial in predicting COVID-19 mortality.

Introduction/Objective. Vocal folds are the most common primary site of laryngeal carcinoma. Advancement in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities have provided better prognosis for patients with early glottic carcinoma. We aimed to report the role of videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS) in early diagnosis of vocal fold carcinoma. Methods. Prospective controlled study included 300 dysphonic patients admitted to the tertiary medical center for microlaryngoscopy with biopsy. All patients underwent stroboscopic examination prior to biopsy. VLS findings were classified according to Hirano into four stages, with an adynamic vocal fold segment and absence of vocal fold vibration, suspected for vocal fold carcinoma at stage IV. Histopathological findings have been graded according to Ljubljana classification into simple hyperplasia, abnormal hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, and carcinoma in situ. Results. Analysis of VLS findings showed that 41.67% of patients (n = 125/300) had asymmetrical and irregular vocal fold vibration with a mucosal wave reduction (VLS stage III), while an adynamic vocal fold segment and absence of vocal fold vibration (VLS stage IV), suspected for vocal fold carcinoma, was noticed in 17.33% of patients (n = 52/300). Histopathology report showed that vocal fold carcinoma was verified in 5.6% of patients in VLS stage III (n = 7/125), while VLS stage IV carcinoma was detected in 26.92% of patients (n = 14/52). Adynamic segment or entire nonvibrating vocal fold finding predicts early glottic carcinoma with a sensitivity of 66.77%, specificity of 86.4%, and moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.844). Conclusion. VLS plays an important role as a timely indicator for microlaryngoscopy with biopsy in diagnosis of vocal fold carcinoma.

Introduction. Laryngeal schwannomas are rare benign neuro-genic tumors. They are usually localized in the supraglottic portion of the larynx. We reported a rare case of laryngeal schwannoma with a focus on clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. Case report. A 61-year old male patient with a 3-year history of hoarseness underwent telescopic examination which revealed an oval submucosal tumefaction of the left ventricular fold extending over the left vocal fold toward the right ventricular fold. Multislice computed tomography showed a 22 x 15 mm well defined, oval heterodense mass in the region of the left ventricular fold, extending toward the left vocal fold and the posterior commissure of the larynx, with signs of initial compression lesion of the thyroid cartilage. Biopsy and histopathology revealed a primary benign encapsulated mesenchymal tumor, while immunohistochemistry analysis confirmed schwannoma diagnosis. The patient underwent tracheotomy and left hemilaryngectomy, with complete removal of the tumor. There were no signs of recurrence at the six-month follow-up. Conclusion. Schwannomas are rare among benign tumors of the larynx and might grow for years before being diagnosed. Biopsy with histopathology analysis is used to confirm the diagnosis of laryngeal schwannoma, although extreme care should be taken during biopsy. Treatment consists of complete surgical excision; the surgical approach depends on the size and localization of the tumor, as well as on the presence of a peduncle.

Background and Objectives: Professional voice users (PVUs) are individuals for whom the voice is the primary tool of work, and whose professional success and income largely depend on its quality. This paper’s study population predominantly consisted of occupational voice users with moderate vocal demands and the study aimed to identify risk factors and causes of voice quality and production disorders, as well as the socio-epidemiological characteristics of affected patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in Serbia, including 145 occupational voice users aged 20–70 years who were treated for dysphonia between August 2019 and July 2024. Data collected included demographics, symptom duration, tobacco exposure, throat and nasal swab results, gastroenterological and endocrinological evaluations and information on treatment for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and dysphonia. Patients were stratified by age, profession, and cause of dysphonia into the appropriate groups. Results: Dysphonia is significantly more common among female occupational users. There is a significant association between the cause of dysphonia and both age and hyperthyroidism. Smoking was highly prevalent in the study population and showed associations with selected videolaryngostroboscopic parameters; however, causal inferences could not be made due to the lack of a non-smoking comparison group. No statistically significant association was observed between positive nasal or throat swabs and dysphonia, nor between allergic rhinitis or asthma and the onset of dysphonia in occupational voice users. Treatment modality varies by gender, with male occupational voice users more likely to undergo surgery and female occupational voice users more often receiving conservative therapy. Symmetric vocal fold vibrations were observed in 85.5% of participants, while regular vibrations were present in 53.1%, and insufficient glottal closure in 10.3%. Regular vocal fold vibration was significantly less frequent in patients with structural disorders and more common in individuals aged 30–39 years. Male sex showed a borderline association with reduced likelihood of symmetric vocal fold vibrations. No independent predictors of insufficient glottal closure were identified. Conclusions: These results support the implementation of systematic otolaryngologic examinations, combined with mandatory education on proper voice use, vocal hygiene, and the harmful effects of tobacco smoke, as measures to prevent voice disorders in occupational voice users.