gms | German Medical Science

Measures for early detection of head and neck diseases in otorhinolaryngology are yet not well developed as a routine procedure in contrast to other disciplines as e.g. gynecology. Early detection however is a decisive factor which influences the chance of healing especially in cancer. If cancer is detected in an early stage the treatment options are much better and the disease is even curable than in an extended stage in which often only temporary remission can be reached. Even the development of a human can be influenced by early detection of diseases e.g. in hearing disorders with the following need of hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids or cochlear implants. In otorhinolaryngology there are already many procedures available for early detection of different diseases. Great efforts have been made in the early detection of hearing disorders in children and newborn. In some German counties these procedures are already established as a routine screening in newborns. Also genetic investigations play a major role in detection of diseases of the head and neck. Unfortunately early detection of diseases besides hearing impairment of newborns is not yet in the program of the health insurance system. It still depends on the doctors own initiative and also on the information especially of people belonging to risk groups to do the first step in establishing early detection of diseases of the head and neck into the health system. A program of early detection however only can be successful if it is required and accepted by the majority of people. The introduction of these methods is a great challenge for the otorhinolaryngologist.

The following papers deal with early detection of malignant diseases, allergic diseases, sleep related disorders and hearing impairment. Further genetic aspects of different diseases of the head and neck are highlighted. The latest understanding in early detection of diseases is presented and the reader also is made familiar in a critical way with the useful effect and the limitation of different procedures.

I do thank all authors for their superb contribution to the proceedings and I wish the reader to get the required information about early detection of head and neck diseases.