Appropriate term for wounds resulting from cancer processes: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To identify the appropriate term for wounds resulting from oncological processes based on the evidence in the literature. Methods: This is an integrative review of scientific evidence. A search was carried out in the databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, Scielo and IBECS about articles published in the period from 2007 to 2019. Results: 18 articles were included with the most frequent study design being the cross-sectional (n: 06). 5 terms were found, the most used being "malignant wound" (n: 08). Among the defining characteristics of wounds, the most frequent were: bad odor (n: 18), exudate (n: 17) and pain (n: 17). As for the cause of these injuries, the greater frequency of articles (n: 10) presented skin infiltration by primary cancer or metastasis. Conclusion: Although several terms are used for these injuries, the cause and defining characteristics are the same. The term "malignant wound" was identified as more appropriate, both for its frequency of use and its semantics.