Malignant cutaneous wounds.

Very little literature is available about malignant cutaneous fungating wounds, and most of the research has been conducted in England. Although only a small number of patients with cancer develop the traumatic and devastating complication of a malignant cutaneous wound, it can be a very distressing occurrence. These patients usually are in the last few months of their lives, and the presence of a wound may be a constant reminder of their disease (Naylor, 2002). In addition, patients may need to cope with bleeding, exudates, odor, or infection. Caring for these patients may be challenging but it can be rewarding if the patients are able to maintain or improve their quality of life.