Metastasis to skin

To provide a review of the incidence, presentation, and nursing care of people with cutaneous metastatic disease.

Published articles and book chapters that describe incidence, presentation, and nursing care.

The dermatologic literature provides the best descriptions of cutaneous metastasis. Limited material is published on treatment methods. Nursing care is best abstracted from wound care publications, although these do not directly address the complexity of the issues involved in cutaneous metastatic disease.

Oncology nurses are challenged with pain management, infection control, choice of appropriate dressings, and odor elimination. Skilled assessment of skin problems can lead to earlier detection and prompt intervention with treatment before the tumor has ulcerated and created the emotional challenge that patients and their families then must face.