title: Managing tissue viability issues in patients with cancer approaching the end of life.
abstract: This article provides an overview of tissue viability issues related to the care of patients with cancer who are approaching the end of life. Altered physiology as a result of various factors, including nutrition, medication and radiotherapy, is identified. The article discusses the presentation and treatment of cutaneous radiation injury, malignant wounds, pressure ulcers and Skin Changes At Life's End (SCALE), an acronym used to describe a set of clinical phenomena associated with skin changes in patients approaching the end of life, and makes recommendations for practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Lincoln, Lincoln, England.
authors.forename: Kenneth Robert
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ripley
authors.affiliation: Pilgrim Hospital, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Boston, England.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Collier
keywords: cancer; end of life care; malignant wounds; palliative care; pressure ulcers; quality of life; radiation injury; tissue viability; wound care