On April 25–29, 2026, the largest otolaryngology congress in Europe was held in Gothenburg (Sweden), attended by 3,800 physicians from around the world.
In addition to participants from all European countries, the congress hosted large groups of specialists from the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and Brazil.
Poland was represented by 57 physicians, mostly from academic centers.
The sessions were held in 24 halls with capacities ranging from 100 to 300 participants, as well as in a main auditorium accommodating over 800 attendees.
The topics of individual sessions covered all areas of otorhinolaryngology. Among the most prominent subjects presenting the latest advancements were:
- Immunotherapy in the treatment of head and neck cancers, where its significant role in increasing 5-year survival rates was emphasized. Its use in a neoadjuvant setting—prior to surgical treatment and chemoradiotherapy—was proposed. It was highlighted that immunotherapy significantly reduces the risk of lymph node metastases in the neck as well as distant metastases.
- Liquid biopsy, another major topic in head and neck oncology, is currently under extensive investigation and at the stage of implementation.
- In the field of chronic rhinosinusitis type 2, highly positive results of biological treatment were presented. Many speakers emphasized the need to introduce biological therapy immediately after surgical treatment as a preventive measure against disease recurrence, especially in patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. Promising reports were also presented on a new biological agent from the anti-TSLP group. In the treatment of olfactory disorders not associated with chronic rhinosinusitis, attention was drawn to the regenerative potential of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which may contribute to the restoration of the olfactory epithelium.
- In otology, one of the most remarkable highlights of the congress was the report on successful gene therapy in children with congenital deafness caused by mutations in the OTOF gene, resulting in hearing restoration. It remains unclear what outcomes this therapy will achieve in cases related to GJB2 gene mutations, which are the most common in Europe. It was also proposed that, pending further progress in gene therapy, children with genetically determined congenital deafness should receive unilateral implantation in order to preserve the second ear for future gene therapy. This treatment was also applied in adults, although the results were significantly less favorable compared to children. In neonatal hearing screening, the potential value of genetic screening was emphasized, although important ethical and legal concerns remain. Maternal screening for cytomegalovirus infection was also widely discussed.
- Preliminary reports were presented on the use of AK-antiVEGF gene therapy in the treatment of vestibular schwannomas in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2. Administration of the agent through the tympanic membrane to the round window niche demonstrated hearing stabilization, inhibition of tumor growth, and in some cases tumor regression. These are early findings and do not yet constitute an alternative to surgical or stereotactic radiotherapy.
- Interesting reports from the United States addressed chronic laryngitis with leukoplakia and attempts to treat this condition with antidiabetic medications.
These are only some of the scientific topics that attracted our attention as particularly innovative.
Each country had the opportunity to present the activities of its national otolaryngological society. The Polish Society was represented by Prof. Małgorzata Wierzbicka in the presence of approximately 30 Polish otolaryngologists and numerous international participants.
Some Polish otolaryngologists actively participated in panels and instructional sessions, delivering 20–30 minute expert lectures.
Prof. Witold Szyfter
