Fungating wounds are a complication of cancer and can develop in patients at a late stage of disease. They’re often unsightly and frightening, making them difficult for patients to cope with. This makes it all the more important to support them both physically and emotionally during what is already an incredibly difficult time in the patient’s life.
What causes fungating wounds?
Fungating (or ulcerative) wounds are caused by direct infiltration of the skin, mucosa, tissues, blood or lymph vessels by a tumour or metastatic deposit. They can cause pain, produce a large amount of exudate, bleed and smell unpleasant. Management rather than healing is the objective of wound care, and management is complex.
Where do fungating wounds occur?
Fungating wounds are fairly rare but when they do appear they’re typically in these areas of the body:
- Head and neck
- Breast
- Genitals
- Arms and legs
- Chest
Fungating wounds will usually start in one of two different ways. They will either grow from a primary tumour (where a cancer originated) or from a secondary tumour (where the cancer has spread).
How do fungating wounds present?
Fungating tumours are quite easy to spot by their fungal, cauliflower or crater appearance. They can grow quickly and may ulcerate, fistulate or proliferate.
These types of wounds will also vary in their physical symptoms. They can also cause psychosocial problems, such as social isolation, embarrassment, denial, fear and disgust on their changing appearance.
How should fungating wounds be assessed?
These wounds will not simply heal. They’re the result of late-stage cancers, and the focus should be primarily on managing the wound.
Regular review will be required, which should include the assessment of:
- The size and location of the wound
- Tissue type in the wound bed
- Type and level of exudate
- Frequency of dressing change
- Pain level
- Odour
- Condition of the skin surrounding the wound
- A patient’s overall physical, psychological and emotional status
- Effects on daily activities of living
- How the patient’s family is coping or adjusting
- Whether infected tissue is present.
Are you a healthcare professional looking to boost your knowledge around wound care?
PDUK’s one-day Guide to complex wound care could well be the professional development course for you.
Aimed specifically at nurse practitioners, practice nurses, ward-based nurses, community nurses and other allied health professionals, this course is about building your confidence in treating a variety of different wound types. It’s held online too, so perfect for flexible learning that fits around you – plus you’ll gain a handy 7 hours of CPD.
Don’t forget, there’s also our ABC of wound care for health care assistants course. Held online it’s also worth 7 hours of CPD over one day.
This type of course is very popular though so make sure you secure your place today!
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