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The aim of the study was to analyse if work related risk factor had any influence on stage, localisation and histology of type of malignant tumour. Demographic and risk factors and results of treatment of farmers with patients working outside farming were compared. The group included 148 patients with primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) diagnosed and treated in our institution in the years 1999-2002. 84 (56.8%) of 148 patients were farmers and 64 (42.2%) patients worked outside farming. The univariate analysis of demographical and clinicopathological features of the farmers' group versus the other professions group with LSCC showed a statistical significance for sex, age and G stage. Nearly statistical significance was observed for the N stage (p=0.06) and for primary localisation of the tumour (p=0.05). The difference in 3 and 5-year survival rates between the group of farmers in comparison with the group of patients working outside farming and with LSCC was not significant for most of the demographical and clinicopathological features. Local, nodal or local plus nodal recurrence occurred in 15 (21.1%) of 84 farmers during 3 years follow-up. Distant metastases were observed in 7 (8.3%) of 84 farmers with LSCC, 6 to the lungs and one to the liver. Farmers with larynx cancer had different presentation pattern than other profession patients. The incidence of glottic cancer and well differentiated cancer was higher in farmers than in other professions. The prevalence of larynx cancer in women was significantly lower among farmers than in other professions. There were older patients in the group of farmers and relatively less women than in the group of patients with other professions.

Analysis of professional dysphonia in 309 patients treated in Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic of the (chair and) Department of Otolaryngology AM in Bialystok was performed. The teachers of primary and lower secondary schools were the majority of the patients. The teachers were compared with the 65 patients of other occupations. Additional harmful factors were excluded in both groups. In all patients' otolaryngologic, phoniatric and videostroboscopic examinations were completed. The analysis paid attention to functional and organic dysphonias. In the group of voice workers there were found early functional laryngeal disorders, which were progressive with the period of work. In other patients organic disorders were more common and occurred earlier than functional ones. The degree of dysphonia depended on laryngeal pathology, especially in case of functional dysphonia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate factors predisposing to occupational dysphonia in a group of professional voice users., Material and Methods: The study involved 374 patients treated in the Clinic of Otolaryngology and the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Białystok in 1999--2001. Group I consisted of 309 patients qualified as professional voice users. The obtained results were compared with those yielded in a group of 65 persons of other occupations (group II). All the diagnosed patients neither smoked nor abused alcohol. Tobacco smokers, patients with chronic diseases of the respiratory system or individuals exposed to irritating vapors were excluded from the study. The clinical evaluation included phoniatric examinations with use of videoendoscopy (VIS) and videolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS) of the larynx. Based on the larynx endoscopic image the voice organ pathology was diagnosed in the patients as functional and/or organic dysphonia. The former comprised hyperfunctional or hypofunctional dysphonia and insufficiency of the glottis and the latter other laryngeal disturbances. In the statistical analysis chi2 parametric test of independence for two averages was used., Results and Conclusions: Female teachers of primary and lower secondary schools, mean age 43 years, prevailed in the group of professional voice users, in which functional dysphonia was more common. In this group, the onset of organic changes was earlier than that of functional changes and was manifested by soft vocal nodules, edematous and inflammatory changes in the vocal fold mucosa. Functional dysphonia of 3 degrees, 4 degrees and even 5 degrees predominated in the group of professional voice users in the course of their employment.

Objectives: Reincke's edema is one of the most common voice disorders in adults. The main purpose of our study, was to analyze factors that may influence the development of this disease. We also estimated the results of surgical treatment., Materials and Methods: The research was performed on a group of 261 patients with Reincke's edema treated in the ENT Department of the Medical University of Wrocław in the years 1994--2000. In the study population, women were in a majority and teachers formed the largest occupational group (30%) followed by salespersons (15%). Most of the patients (86%) were tobacco smokers. All of the patients underwent detailed videostroboscopic examination of the larynx and perceptual analysis of the voice quality before and after treatment., Results: The symmetry of vocal cords before and after treatment was found in 75 patients. Lack of symmetry before treatment, and proper symmetry after surgery was observed in 71 subjects. Fifty patients showed less symmetry after treatment, and 65 patients were asymmetric before and after surgery. The difference between the symmetry of vocal folds before and after treatment was at the border of statistical significance (p = 0.069). The number of patients with full vocal cords closure increased after treatment. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.032). The periodicity of vocal cord movements was significantly higher after treatment (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The perceptual assessment of voice, before and after treatment, revealed statistically significant post-treatment improvement in voice quality.

Occurrence of professional dysphonia was analysed in a group of 309 patients treated in the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic, Department of Otolaryngology, Medical Academy in Białystok through the period of 1999-2001. In a group of professional voice users female teachers of primary schools and lower secondary schools predominated. Obtained results were compared with those from a group of 65 persons of other occupations. In the both groups other harmful factors affecting the voice organ were excluded. The clinical assessment included subjective and objective laryngological examination using videolaryngostroboscopy. The clinical material was evaluated in a view of functional and organic disorders of the voice organ. Early occurrence and aggravation of functional changes in the larynx was recorded in non professional voice users in the course of their seniority. In professional patients organic changes were more common and occurred earlier than functional disorders. Severity of dysphonia was related to the larynx pathology, especially of a functional character.

A study of the oral health of workers in flour mills was carried out. The examined group consisted of 40 males and 8 females currently employed at flour mills. As much as 97.92 % of the workers showed evidence of parodontopathy. The results of the researches indicate the necessity of professional periodontal prophylaxis among mill workers.

A population-based case-control study was performed in Cracow, Poland. Male cases and controls were identified from the Cracow Death Register. Information were obtained by mailed questionnaire from next-of-kin on smoking, occupational branch, occupational exposures and other pertinent variables. Response rates were 73.5% in cases and 72.0% in controls. For cases that underwent a bronchial biopsy or surgical excision the histological diagnosis of the tumor was obtained from clinical records. The case group contained 343 subjects with squamous cell carcinomas, 151 small cell carcinomas and 106 adenocarcinomas. 27 cases showed other histological types (large cell carcinoma and not classifiable). Analysis was performed separately by histological type for occupational exposure variables adjusted for smoking. Long-term exposure to mineral dust and metal dust (20 years or more) was found to be a significant risk factor for small cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The effect was more pronounced if the analysis was restricted to the age groups "less than 70 years". The highest relative risk due to occupational exposures was found for squamous cell carcinoma and mineral dust exposure for more than 20 years (RR = 2.45, 95% CI 1.43-4.19). The estimated effect of mineral dust on small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was slightly lower (RR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.16-4.53 and RR = 2.04, 95% CI 0.89-4.64, respectively). The effect of metal dust and fumes appeared to be about the same for squamous and small cell carcinoma.