A fungating lesion is a skin lesion that fungates, that is, becomes like a fungus in its appearance or growth rate. It is marked by ulcerations (breaks on the skin or surface of an organ) and

necrosis Necrosis () is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue by autolysis. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, or trauma which result in the unregulated dige ...

(death of living tissue) and usually presents a foul odor. This kind of lesion may occur in many types of cancer, including breast cancer,

melanoma Melanoma, also redundantly known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas typically occur in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye ( ...

, and

squamous cell carcinoma Squamous-cell carcinomas (SCCs), also known as epidermoid carcinomas, comprise a number of different types of cancer that begin in squamous cells. These cells form on the surface of the skin, on the lining of hollow organs in the body, and on the ...

, and especially in advanced disease. The characteristic malodorous smell is caused by

dimethyl trisulfide Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) is an organic chemical compound and the simplest organic trisulfide, with the chemical formula CH3SSSCH3. It is a flammable liquid with a foul odor, which is detectable at levels as low as 1 part per trillion. Occurren ...

. It is usually not a

fungal infection Fungal infection, also known as mycosis, is disease caused by fungi. Different types are traditionally divided according to the part of the body affected; superficial, subcutaneous, and systemic. Superficial fungal infections include common ti ...

but rather a neoplastic growth with necrosing portions. There is a weak evidence that 6% miltefosine solution applied topically on superficial fungating breast lesion less than 1 cm who received previous radiotherapy, surgery, hormonal therapy or chemotherapy for their breast cancer, may slow the disease progression.

References

External links

Definition of "fungating lesion" at the NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Cellular processes Dermatologic terminology Oncology {{oncology-stub