1460 Palliative management of fungating malignant wounds

Abstract

The focus of the palliative management of fungating malignant wounds is the relief of symptoms and a reduction in the impact of the wound on patient daily life. This approach is underpinned by the belief that an individual's physical needs must be addressed and the emotional, social and spiritual aspects of advanced disease acknowledged. Palliative measures may include treatments which are similar to the curative ones. The essential difference in the palliative approach is that the patient should achieve significant clinical gains without unacceptable side effects. Dressings which maintain a moist wound environment may facilitate effective symptom control for a fungating wound. However their efficiency may be limited by the site, shape and size of the wound. The challenges to the practitioner or managing an advanced fungating wound with local measures will be explored. The focus of the palliative management of fungating malignant wounds is the relief of symptoms and a reduction in the impact of the wound on patient daily life. This approach is underpinned by the belief that an individual's physical needs must be addressed and the emotional, social and spiritual aspects of advanced disease acknowledged. Palliative measures may include treatments which are similar to the curative ones. The essential difference in the palliative approach is that the patient should achieve significant clinical gains without unacceptable side effects. Dressings which maintain a moist wound environment may facilitate effective symptom control for a fungating wound. However their efficiency may be limited by the site, shape and size of the wound. The challenges to the practitioner or managing an advanced fungating wound with local measures will be explored.