Coping physically with cancer
Fungating tumours are also sometimes called fungating wounds or ulcerating cancers.
They start when a tumour growing under the skin breaks through the skin's surface. Fungating tumours can be difficult to cope with, but there are ways to manage and treat them.
Fungating tumours are also sometimes called fungating wounds, ulcerating cancers, malignant wounds or ulcerating cancer wounds.
The most common symptoms of a fungating tumour are a wound with an unpleasant smell, oozing, pain, itching or bleeding.
Specialist support is available to help you manage the symptoms of a fungating (ulcerating) tumour.
The treatment for a fungating tumour depends on your type of cancer and any other treatments you have had.
Having a fungating (ulcerating) tumour can affect you emotionally as well as physically. It can be hard to come to terms with the change in your body and how you see yourself.
There are organisations and resources to help support you if you have a fungating tumour.
Last reviewed: 29 Jun 2023
Next review due: 29 Jun 2026
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