title: A palliative approach to the management of malodour from malignant fungating tumours.
abstract: The aim of this case study is to explore the role of palliative care and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach for the management of malodour from malignant fungating tumours. Nurses in my practice area in the UK rarely see them, find them particularly difficult to manage and the experience is often personally distressing. The disturbing nature of these tumours inflicts so much suffering on the patient and those around them that the concept of palliative care is often severely challenged and can prove to be difficult for nurses to achieve. Palliative care aims to provide a holistic team approach in addressing the complex individual needs of these patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Denbighshire, Wales, UK. dexywest@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: West
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001458:Bandages; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009336:Necrosis; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009812:Odorants; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life; D012752:Shame; D018030:Silver Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D018030:Silver Compounds; D008795:Metronidazole; D002606:Charcoal