Head-neck cancer drug therapy--could it be improved?

Head-neck cancer is an area requiring more attention to a highly demanding therapy which has not been fully developed yet. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, including improvements of surgical techniques, radio- and chemotherapy and prevention strategies, the survival rates of patients with recurrent head-neck cancer are low. New drugs, including those targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor, p53 gene, RAS protein post-translation modification, the proteosome, vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclooxigenase-2 and other molecular pathways, are promising agents for management of head-neck cancer.

[Effects of nitrous oxide on middle ear pressure].

Introduction: Recent literature data suggest that permanent or reversible hearing loss may occur after general anesthesia. The etiology varies, while hearing loss following middle ear surgery is attributed to exposure to nitrous oxide (N,0). The objective of our study was to measure, using tympanometry, the middle air pressure change caused by nitrous oxide during general anesthesia and to establish its emetogenic effects during the postoperative period.

Antibiotic consumption monitoring at the Institute of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery--Clinical Center of Serbia in 2001-2003.

Background: At the Clinical Center of Serbia (CCS), which includes 21 Institutes and 6 Centers, approximately 10% of the total annual budgetary funds is spent on the drugs. During the studied period, it was estimated that 0.5% of the above amount has been spent at the Institute for Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial surgery (Institute for ORL and MFS), Clinical Center of Serbia.