Fungating Malignancies: Management of a Distinct Wound Entity

GENERAL PURPOSE To provide information on the surgical management of fungating malignancies as a distinct wound entity. TARGET AUDIENCE This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES After participating in this educational activity, the participant will: 1. Identify characteristics of patients in a study examining the treatment of fungating malignancies. 2. Select common symptoms experienced by patients with fungating malignancies. 3. Explain issues related to the surgical treatment of fungating malignancies. 4. Identify a reason why patients with fungating breast masses may avoid medical care. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To address the literature gap on malignant fungating wound treatment by reporting two institutions’ experiences with this disease process and proposing practices to improve care. METHODS A multi-institutional retrospective review was conducted of 44 patients with 45 malignant fungating wounds over an 11-year period. Patient characteristics, treatment history, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 44 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 31 (70.5%) were women and 13 (29.5%) were men. The average age at presentation was 63.0 (SD, 16.1) years. The most common malignancy was breast cancer, accounting for more than half of cases (54.5%). The average surface area of the tumors at presentation was 110.3 (SD, 215.0; range, 2.2–1,140) cm2, whereas the average surface area at time of discharge/death was 104.6 (SD, 310.7; range, 0–1,800) cm2. Neither surface area at presentation (P = .504) nor surface area at time of final follow-up (P = .472) were significantly associated with death during the study time frame. CONCLUSION In the era of advancing technologies and medical innovation, the benefits of palliative surgery, which helps mitigate an open wound, should not be overlooked. Improving end-of-life care is beneficial to the patient and families alike. As surgeons, we strive for a tangible cure, but providing palliative resection to enable death with dignity might be the most humane service of all.