Experiences of living with a malignant fungating wound: a qualitative study

Abstract

The results of this study provides a description of patient experiences that can help to guide nursing practice as well as an understanding of what a malignant fungating wound means to cancer patients and how it influences their lives.

Malignant fungating wounds – The meaning of living in an unbounded body

“…Lo et al (2008) provides a grounded theory study of the lived experiences of 10 patients (six women and four men) with malignant fungating wounds in Taiwan. The researchers provide a detailed description of the trajectory that patients experience from the first stages of wound development through to the end stage of their illness (Lo, et al, 2008). Five themes emerged from the data which were: 'declining physical wellbeing', 'wound related stigma', 'need for expert help', 'strategies in wound management' and 'living positively with the wound'.…”

“…The wound symptoms affected participants' social behaviour and interaction and resulted in a degree of social isolation. Lo et al (2008) describe the benefits described by those patients who were seen by a wound care specialist, which enabled them to live more positively with the wound in terms of coping with dressing changes, access to modern dressings and reduction in the distressing experience of odour and pain. Care from the wound care specialist enabled patients to be more comfortable, less distressed and reduced the experience of stigma and social isolation because the wound related symptoms were managed.…”

“…Care from the wound care specialist enabled patients to be more comfortable, less distressed and reduced the experience of stigma and social isolation because the wound related symptoms were managed. Low levels of information and practical help from health professionals led some patients to use management strategies that could harm their wound and exacerbate problems such as bleeding (Lo et al, 2008). Only 15% of patients with a fungating wound, in one multi-centre study, (n=70) are reported to have a specialist nurse involved in the care of their wound (Lo, et al, 2011).…”

Finding the right kind of support: A study of carers of those with a primary malignant brain tumour

“…It is stated that this is as challenging area for patients, informal carers as well as for health care professionals (Grocott, 2007;Lo, et al, 2008;Probst, et al, 2009). The most common symptoms of malignant fungating wounds are that of malodour, excessive exudate, pain, bleeding and itching (Grocott, 2007;Probst, 2010).…”

“…It can be predicted that about five per cent of patients with cancer will develop a malignant fungating wound. The life expectancy for a person living with such a wound is very short with an average of six to twelve months survival (Lo, et al, 2008). It is evident from a number of studies that malignant fungating wounds cause immense distress and significant morbidity and they are a neglected aspect of cancer nursing practice in some settings (Lo, et al, 2008;Wilkes, et al, 2003).…”