A sense of satisfaction and well-being that covers various aspects of life can be defined as quality of life (QoL). Hypothyroidism can be clinically both latent and apparent. It is possible to evaluate general aspects of life, identify the presence and severity of diseases, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment while QoL measurement instruments are used. The timely initiation of levothyroxine (LT4) substitution in cases with latent hypothyroidism and the evaluation of LT4 substitution quality serve as evidence of the beneficial effects of used QoL instruments. Here, we introduced GHQ12, TSQ, and ThyPRO instruments most commonly used in routine thyroid clinical practice.

Introduction: Esophageal cancer is one of the ten most common cancers globally with a high mortality rate. The etiology is multifactorial, non-hereditary risk factors are smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and hereditary risk factors are Lynch syndrome, Plummer-Vinson syndrome, Peutz-Jaegers syndrome, and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. The treatment is multidisciplinary, and combined, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery are applied. From the moment of diagnosis, supportive therapy is necessary to alleviate and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Dysphagia is present in almost all patients with esophageal cancer. A loss greater than 5% of total body weight is associated with a worse prognosis. Discomfort and vague chest pain, hoarseness, cough, and sore throat are less common. Locally invasive tumors cause other symptoms such as hematemesis, hemoptysis, melena, dyspnea, cough, and pleural effusion. Horner's syndrome and superior vena cava syndrome may also occur in advanced tumors. The involvement of large blood vessels can lead to fatal bleeding. In the case of metastatic disease, different symptoms may be present depending on the location. Objective: The objective of this literature review is to indicate the importance of supportive therapy in the treatment of patients with esophageal cancer. Supportive therapy in esophageal cancer: The purpose of good supportive therapy is to ensure the best possible quality of life for patients. In esophageal cancer, the reduction of symptoms significantly contributes to the extension of life. Esophageal cancer treatment is actually the treatment of symptoms. Given that the most common symptom of these cancers is dysphagia, treatment of the underlying disease will also lead to an improvement in symptoms. Patients who have a complete or severe obstruction at any level of the esophagus must be provided with adequate nutrition. Oral nutrition contributes to a better quality of life. Before starting pain therapy, it is necessary to assess the cause and characteristics of pain. A step-by-step approach involves the gradual introduction of analgesic therapy. Dosing of opioids and determining the therapeutic dose should be in accordance with the current guidelines of the World Health Organization. Conclusion: supportive therapy contributes to longer survival in esophageal cancer at an advanced stage of the disease, and better tolerance of aggressive treatment regimens, reducing the toxicity, which leads to improved quality of life.

Introduction: Voice dysfunction represents a significant postoperative complication following total thyroidectomy, particularly in patients whose profession depends on their voice (singers, lecturers). The main causes include injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), as well as vocal cord trauma during intubation or the occurrence of postoperative edema. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted for studies published between 2014 and 2025. Included studies comprised randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and relevant clinical guidelines. Data were analyzed regarding the incidence of voice dysfunction, mechanisms of nerve injury, surgical and anesthetic risk factors, prevention strategies, and postoperative management, including the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Results and Discussion: Recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis leads to dysphonia and reduced phonatory power, whereas superior laryngeal nerve injury decreases the high-frequency vocal range and vocal endurance. The risk is increased in reoperations, large retrosternal goiters, and invasive tumors. The use of IONM reduces the risk of permanent RLN injury, although its reliability may be compromised by improper use of neuromuscular blockers or anesthetic protocols. Anesthetic factors, including improper intubation, excessive cuff pressure, and multiple intubation attempts, significantly contribute to voice changes. Prevention includes careful anesthetic management, precise intubation technique, and coordinated work between surgeons and anesthesiologists. Early postoperative evaluation, fiberendoscopic examination, acoustic analysis, and speech therapy contribute to preserving vocal cord function. Conclusion: Voice dysfunction following total thyroidectomy arises from both surgical and anesthetic factors. Prevention of complications requires a multidisciplinary approach, coordination between surgeons and anesthesiologists, and the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Therapy and rehabilitation, including otolaryngological assessment and speech therapy, aim to preserve and restore vocal function.

The aim of this study was to examine the difference in RSV small respiratory tract infections and small respiratory tract infections of other etiologies, regarding length of hospitalization and need of oxygen therapy. The examined populations were children treated for small respiratory tract infections in KBC Zemun during 2 years, aged from birth to the end of the second year of life. Treatment outcomes were examined: duration of hospitalization, length of oxygen therapy, combined pneumonia (confirmed by X-ray). A total of 78 children with a clinical picture of severe infection were selected. The data were taken from the existing documentation of KBC Zemun. The study found that in the first year a higher percentage of RSV positive girls was 76.19% than boys 73.91%, and in the second year 78.57% of RSV positive girls and 60% of boys. Children with low birth weight, premature birth as well, fed adapted formulas are more likely to develop RSV bronchiolitis. The duration of hospitalization was longer in RSV bronchiolitis, as well as in associated bacterial infection. The length of oxygen therapy was not affected by the presence of RSV infection, but children with bronchiolitis complicated by pneumonia were longer on oxygen therapy. Our research is in line with previous research, existing treatment protocols. Certain deviations can be explained by a small sample, which gives the need for systematic and broader examination of the relationship between risk factors, etiological factors in small respiratory tract infections.

The aim of the survey conducted at the Galen Farm Pharmacy in Belgrade is to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 infection on the mental health of the population aged 30-50. The end of 2019 marked the beginning of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic from China, which affected more than 214 countries and territories around the world. Preventive strategies play a major role in reducing the spread of the virus. The advent of vaccines slows down the transmission of the virus and alleviates the symptoms of the disease. The ongoing pandemic poses a serious threat to human health and the global economy and has resulted in enormous stress on health care systems worldwide, and mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health. 104 respondents, users of the services of the “Galen Farm” Pharmacy in Belgrade, were included in the research. An original questionnaire of 15 questions was created, and the research was anonymous. The DASS-21 scale (The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items) was used in the research. For the largest number of respondents, the pandemic affected their quality of life, while a smaller number of respondents estimated that the pandemic had no effect. The largest number of respondents were positive for the virus, while twice as many respondents were not positive. More than half of the respondents were in mandatory isolation. The largest number of respondents reported that someone close to them was positive for the virus. The largest number of respondents had no the experience of the death of a close person. In order to gain insight into the impact of the COVID-19 infection on the mental health of the respondents, the answers of the respondents on the DASS-21 scale were processed in more detail. The respondents more often report experiencing stress symptoms during the past period. Medical workers have statistically significantly higher scores on average, on the individual scales of the DASS questionnaire, compared to non-medical workers, and this also applies to people who have had someone close to them die due to COVID-19. The obtained results are partially consistent with previous research. During the outbreak of any infectious disease, the psychological reactions of individuals play an important role in the spread of the disease, as well as in the frequency of emotional distress and social disturbances during and after the outbreak of a pandemic.

The aim of the work is to examine the relationship between the clinical and pathological characteristics of colorectal cancer and indicators of disease progression. The examined group consisted of operative biopsies of colorectal carcinoma (n=75), and the control group (n=75) consisted of biopsies of adjacent non-tumor tissue of the colon from the operative preparation submitted to the Pathology Centre of the Clinical Center of Montenegro. After routine histopathological processing, classic Hematoxylin-Eosin and immunohistochemical ABC method with anti-Ki67 antibodies were applied to the 4 μm sections. The histological grade of the tumor is significantly related to the proliferation index, while the pT status depends on the invasion of lymphatic vessels, metastases in the lymph nodes and the Astler-Coller stage. Metastases in lymph nodes are highly significantly associated with invasion of lymphatic vessels and Astler-Coller tumor stage. Distant metastases are significantly related to blood vessel invasion, perineural invasion and Astler_Coller stage. The histological grade of the tumor, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, the presence of metastases in the lymph nodes, distant metastases and the Astler-Coller stage depend on the proliferative index of the tumor cells. Ki67 expression is a good marker of colorectal cancer progression due to its high sensitivity and specificity.

Cervical cancer in Serbia is one of the leading causes of illness and death in the female population. Every year, about 1,300 women fall ill and approximately 500 lose their lives due to this disease. The importance of screening for this disease is very high, but unfortunately insufficiently known in the population. We conducted a short survey on 30 women aged 20 to 40 who filled out a pre-prepared cervical cancer screening questionnaire. The results indicate that the health awareness of the female population regarding cervical cancer screening in Serbia is very low, but there is also a clear insight into the importance of geting new informations, and we believe that this study contributes to raising awareness about cervical cancer screening, which is in line with the general trend population policy in the world, given that January 2023 was declared the month dedicated to the prevention of cervical cancer with the theme: Ending cervical cancer within a few generations”.

Electromagnetic radiation represents energy transmission through an immaterial medium through a flow of energy particles or quanta of energy. When passing through the material medium, there is an interaction with the medium through which they pass, and energy is transferred to the particles of the material medium. Ionising radiation (JZ) is electromagnetic radiation consisting of EM - --waves or particles with kinetic energy sufficient to ionise the substance they pass. During ionisation, orbital electrons are ejected from the atoms of the environment as negative ions and positive ions are formed from the rest of the particles. The ions formed in this way disturb the biochemical processes in the cells, which can lead to disturbances in their functioning and division and even to the occurrence of diseases, such as tumours. The effect of ionising radiation is reflected in the impact on proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. The following can be recognised as occupational diseases: acute radiodermatitis, acute radiation sickness, acute radiation cataract, chronic radiodermatitis in case of exposure to ionising radiation for at least ten years, regular radiation cataract in case of exposure to ionising radiation for at least five years, malignant diseases and damage to the hematopoietic system. It is necessary to educate the entire population about the consequences that ionising radiation has on human health, provide complete protection to workers who work in radioactive radiation zones, apply all preventive and protective measures against the effects of ionising radiation in the workplace, and provide adequate, timely and professional assistance to all workers who were exposed to ionising radiation.

In this article, we present the case of a patient with classic signs of Barlow’s disease and discrete mass on the posterior myxomatously altered cusp that were observed on echocardiographic examination. Barlow’s disease is a degenerative disease of the mitral valve in which leaf prolapse and mitral regurgitation occur, which is a significant cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Papillary fibroelastoma of the heart is a rare benign tumor of the heart, mostly located on the valves, it is detected incidentally, but it can be the cause of transient neurological defects and ischemia of the heart due to embolization or prolapse in the coronary ostia. Differentiating degenerative mitral valve disease is important, because choice of surgical correction techniques depend on this distinction, and pathohistological analysis (classical, histochemical and immunohistochemical staining) contributes to the confirmation of the diagnosis, which is important for future outcome research.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and the fifth most common cause of cancer death in the world. Therapeutic options are divided on the basis of staging and accurate diagnosis. Due to the lack of randomized prospective controlled studies on the treatment of prostate cancer, no therapeutic option can be preferred, although there are some recommendations. Therapy options for intraprostatic tumor include: monitoring the course of the disease, radical prostatectomy, or radiation therapy. Radical radiotherapy is an alternative to surgical treatment in the localized form of primary prostate cancer. Radiotherapy treatment has shown good results. In case of local recurrence of the disease, the recommendations are even more scarce. We present a case of a 65-year-old patient who was treated for prostate adenocarcinoma with radical radiation therapy combined with androgen deprivation therapy for one year and then about 6 years after initial therapy he was successfully treated with adjuvant salvage brachytherapy because of local carcinoma recurrence. In addition to certain recommendations for the implementation of this therapy which we proposed in the following text, we certainly recommend a personalized medical approach in such cases.