Providing Relief for Patients With Malignant Wounds

Course overview

Treatment options for malignant fungating wounds are aimed at the specific underlying cancer. Malignant wounds have a high rate of recurrence and tend to cause major alterations in patients' physical and psychosocial well-being. Malignant wounds can result in many problems, including odor, bleeding, exudate, pruritis, and pain. Before starting treatment, healthcare professionals as a team need to determine which problems patients consider the most distressing. Even though bleeding may be more life-threatening, many patients may find the odor unbearable and may need to have it resolved first.