Malignant fungating wounds are a complication of cancer and may develop in patients with advanced disease. They are caused by direct infiltration of the skin, tissues, mucosa, blood or lymph vessels by a tumour or metastatic deposit.

A malignant fungating wound (MFW); impacts on both the physical and psychosocial life of a patient, and patients need a holistic approach to wound management. Patients, care givers and nurses may struggle to cope with the challenges associated with malodour, heavy exudate, pain, bleeding, disfigurement and social isolation. This protocol gives a pathway to manage patients with these wounds.