Characterization of oncological patients with malignant wounds

Objective: To describe the sociodemographic and clinicopathological profile of oncologic patients in palliative care who presented malignant wound seen between 2012 to 2017 in a reference hospital in the northern region of Brazil. Methodology: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional and retrospective study. The data collection was performed through the analysis of medical records with open and closed questions about sociodemographic, clinicopathological data, characterization of malignant wound and its management. Results: 358 patients were hospitalized during the study period, of which 139 (38.82%) presented malignant wounds, a sample composed predominantly of women, with a mean age of 59.9 years, mulatto, married and with low socioeconomic status. There was no standardization in the classifications of malignant wounds and evaluation scales. Significant statistical correlations between the incidence of malignant wounds with smoking, topography of the primary tumor and antineoplastic treatment were identified. In addition, it was observed that the incomplete registration of information about wounds and their signs and symptoms, constitutes a failure to construct indicators and subsidies for research and legal support of professionals. Conclusion: This study brought relevant information between the patients' profile.