This paper presents a review of the literature concerning the care of cancer patients who develop fungating and/or ulcerating lesions. The nature, sites of presentation, prognosis, different therapeutic modalities, incidence among cancer patients and characteristics of the patients affected are discussed. In order to assess the current state of knowledge about wound management and to determine its applicability to malignant lesions, a review of the general wound healing literature was undertaken and is presented here in part. The review demonstrates that there is little published research which deals specifically with this condition. The reports which are available give little indication of the knowledge base and rationale on which nursing management is founded. The authors conclude that an informed and considered choice regarding the use of conventional and non-conventional topical agents and dressings is as pertinent to the nursing management of malignant lesions as it is to other wound types. They also suggest that awareness of and sensitivity to the psychological problems that such patients often present is as important as controlling the physical symptoms associated with this condition.