Complexities of conducting dressing selection research for malodourous fungating wounds

Malignant fungating wounds are a complication of cancer and develop in patients with advanced onset of the disease, typically within 6-12 months before death (Alexander, 2009). They can present in one of three different ways: as primary skin neoplasms, as local extension and integumentary erosion from primary tumours or malignancy recurrence, or as metastatic cutaneous lesions (Alexander, 2009). Malignant fungating wounds can develop from any type of malignancy but are mainly associated with breast cancer (66%) and head and neck tumours (24%). They can also develop in the groin, genitals and back (3%) or other sites (8%) (Tilley et al, 2021).