History of the Society
2003 — Establishment of the Society
The Polish Head and Neck Cancer Society was established in spring 2003 by decision of the Founding Committee. The aim of the organization was to create an interdisciplinary platform for cooperation between specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers.
The founding meeting was attended by representatives of many medical fields, including:
- otolaryngologists,
- maxillofacial surgeons,
- neurosurgeons,
- radiologists,
- ophthalmologists,
- pathologists,
- radiotherapists,
- clinical oncologists.
Head and neck cancers are among the most challenging cancers in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Due to their anatomical location and the biological nature of the disease, treatment requires close cooperation between multiple specialists and an individualized approach to each patient.
In Poland, around 8,000 new cases of head and neck cancers are diagnosed each year. The number of cases has been steadily increasing, which is why one of the Society’s main goals from the very beginning has been to improve the quality of treatment and develop modern therapeutic standards.
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Main Objectives of the Society
The main objectives of the Society include:
- promoting interdisciplinary treatment of head and neck cancers,
- improving the quality of diagnosis and therapy,
- postgraduate medical education,
- development of scientific research,
- organization of national and international research projects,
- development of specialization in head and neck oncology.
The Society is continuously developing and brings together specialists representing various medical disciplines.
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International Development
The Society became a member of:
- International Federation of Head and Neck Oncological Societies based in New York,
- European Head and Neck Society.
Members of the Society actively participate in international courses, conferences, and educational projects. Scientific scholarships are awarded to the most active members and young physicians to support professional development and research activity.
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2006 — European conferences and workshops
In 2006, the Society organized in Poznań the conference:
5th European Workshop on Basic Biology of Head & Neck Cancer
The event gathered over 150 experts from around the world. The conference was dedicated to the molecular biology of head and neck cancers and modern directions in scientific research.
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2008–2012 — National scientific meetings
Between 2008 and 2012, the Society organized five national scientific conferences dedicated to modern methods of treating head and neck cancers.
The events were attended by leading European experts, including:
- Jean-Louis Lefebvre,
- Jan Olofsson,
- Reidar Grenman,
- Jochen Werner,
- Rene Leemans.
The meetings were held in various cities across Poland, enabling participation of physicians and specialists from all over the country.
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Global Educational Program
The Society actively participated in an international educational program on head and neck cancers coordinated by Prof. Jatin Shah.
Within the program, Poland was appointed coordinator of Region 5, which included:
- Poland,
- Czech Republic,
- Slovakia,
- Hungary,
- Croatia,
- Romania,
- Serbia,
- Slovenia.
The program enabled the exchange of experience between experts from Europe, Asia, and both Americas, as well as the presentation of the latest treatment standards.
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2012 — European Congress in Poznań
By decision of the European Head and Neck Society, Prof. Wojciech Golusiński was appointed organizer of the European Congress in 2012.
The event gathered over 1,000 specialists from around the world and was recognized as a major scientific and organizational success.
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European Head and Neck Course
Following the success of the congress, the European Head and Neck Course was launched — an international course dedicated to modern standards in head and neck cancer treatment.
More than 300 physicians from Europe, the United States, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia participated in courses held in Poznań.
This project became one of the most important educational programs organized by EHNS.
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Head and Neck Cancer Prevention Program
The Society actively participated in the European prevention campaign:
Make Sense Campaign
In cooperation with the Wielkopolska Oncology Center, a pilot screening program was carried out in the Wielkopolska region.
Within the program:
- over 4,000 patients were examined,
- more than 40 early-stage cancers were detected.
The project resulted in the development of a national head and neck cancer prevention program implemented in 2017.
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2016 — Change of the Society’s name
In 2016, during the General Assembly of Members, the organization adopted its current name:
Polish Head and Neck Cancer Society
The change aimed to align the organization’s naming with European scientific societies and emphasize the international nature of its activities.