Malignant fungating wounds assessment in palliative care
A scoping review
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22087450 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Daniela Nigrelli (University of Rome Tor Vergata), Francesca Gambalunga (0000-0003-3741-981X, Policlinico Umberto I), Giuliano Anastasi (0000-0002-0984-1987), Angela Peghetti (Azienda USL di Bologna), Stefano Durante (0009-0006-2905-5947, Azienda USL di Bologna, corresponding author), Martina Giusti (0000-0001-7942-2393, University of Florence), Valentina Biagioli (0000-0002-8713-2051, University of Bologna), Silvio Quirini (Azienda USL di Bologna), Laura Iacorossi (0000-0002-2172-8055, Link Campus University), Roberto Latina (0000-0002-7829-3654, University of Palermo) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Pages | 1602493-1602493 |
| Publication date | 2025-06-12 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1602493 |
| PMID | 40575105 |
| OpenAlex | W4411253089 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 85 |
Introduction: Malignant fungating wounds (MFWs) are secondary chronic wounds resulting from malignant cell proliferation and migration, compromising skin integrity in patients with cancer. These wounds present a range of signs and symptoms. Although several instruments are used in their assessment, it is still unclear which tool is most appropriate for comprehensive evaluation and wound healing. Aim: To review the existing instruments for MFW assessment, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O'Malley framework (2005), the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines (2020, 2021), and the PRISMA-ScR checklist (2018). The search was performed on four databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EBSCO. Results: Forty studies were included, describing 22 instruments. They described half targeted general symptoms, and half wound-related signs and symptoms. Four instruments were specifically designed for MFWs, all based on the Malignant Wound Assessment Tool (MWAT). These were: MWAT - Clinical; MWAT- wound bed status; MWAT- Perception; MWAT - Research. However, only the Clinical and Research versions were validated in English, but neither was subjected to psychometric validation, and lacked a comprehensive assessment, such as key symptoms. Conclusion: Despite the existence of specific tools for MFW assessment, a comprehensive, validated, and standardized tool is still lacking. While the Clinical and the Research versions of the MWAT offer a broad assessment of MFWs, they require refinement to address overlooked symptoms and validation in other languages. Establishing standardized, multidimensional measures could enhance clinical decision-making and improve outcomes for patients living with MFWs
Intensive care medicine · Medical emergency · Palliative care · Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Diseases · Medicine · Nursing · Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management · Wound Healing and Treatments
| Highly cited | No |
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