Topical Management of Bleeding From Malignant Wounds Caused by Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

CONTEXT: Topical management is the main form of control of signs and symptoms regarding malignant wounds (MWs) arising from tumor progression on the skin. Nevertheless, few studies have explored this theme and evidence on the effectiveness of the methods used to control bleeding is unknown, leading to a lack of consensus to support clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: Identify and evaluate current evidence on topical MW hemostasis from breast cancer and suggest new topics for future research. METHODS: This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes. Seven indexed databases were consulted using the terms: "breast neoplasms"; "breast cancer"; "malignant fungating wounds"; "malignant wounds"; "bleeding." RESULTS: From the 112 articles identified in total, six were included in this review: a descriptive cohort study (n = 32), two case series (n = 21) and three case reports (n = 3). Fifty-six patients were exposed to 11 types of topical treatments using calcium alginate, surgical hemostats, adrenaline, nonadherent dressings, silver nitrate, modified Mohs Paste, and 10% formalin. There were no reports of significant adverse effects. CONCLUSION: Although studies have promoted positive results of topical hemostasis, scientific evidence is still weak and arises from studies with poor methodological quality. Randomized controlled trials were not identified. The results highlight the crucial need for pilot studies to evaluate effect size, study procedures, and measurable results.

Polyhexanide Versus Metronidazole for Odor Management in Malignant (Fungating) Wounds: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 0.2% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) to 0.8% metronidazole on malignant wound (MW) odor, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and pain upon application. DESIGN: A double-blinded, randomized, clinical trial. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Twenty-four patients with malodorous MWs hospitalized in a referral cancer center in Sao Paulo, Brazil, participated in the trial. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to treatment with 0.8% metronidazole solution (control group) or 0.2% PHMB (experimental group). Study outcomes were measured at baseline (day 0), 4 days, and 8 days. The primary end point was the odor that was measured in terms of its intensity, quality, and impact on participants during the study period. Health-related quality of life was measured with the Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-Wounds Version (FPQLI-WV) on day 0 and on the day when odor was completely eliminated as per evaluation by the investigators. Pain intensity related to application of the control and experimental solutions was measured as a secondary outcome using a scale of 0 to 10. RESULTS: Twenty patients (83.3%) were classified as having "no wound odor" at 4 days, and 100% achieved no wound odor by day 8 (P < .001). Odor control in patients with MW significantly influenced their general HRQOL (P = .002). We found no difference in odor elimination, or HRQOL, when patients managed with PHMB were compared to those managed with metronidazole. There were no statistically significant differences over time in pain measurement between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both PHMB and metronidazole significantly reduced odor in malodorous MWs within 4 days. Neither solution was found to be more effective than the other in the magnitude of odor reduction or its effect on condition-specific HRQOL.