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Abstract
Delays in both the presentation and referral of soft tissue lesions have been extensively recorded in the existing literature. Such delays may result in lesions invading into surrounding tissues including neurovascular structures, increasing the risk of surgical complications and adverse consequences for patients. Delays in initiation of treatment of soft tissue sarcomas have further been associated with increased rates of metastasis. As such, patients’ recovery may be limited due to late presentations, and residual morbidity may be more pronounced. This case report presents the predicament of a fungating mass in a female in her 80s in order to emphasise the importance of identifying and referring to such lesions early on. The referral delay of this lesion highlights the impact increasing awareness of this condition among both healthcare professionals and patients could have by allowing for earlier interventions.
- Musculoskeletal and joint disorders
- Skin
- Wound care
- Oncology
- Orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Footnotes
Contributors The following author were responsible for drafting of the text, sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation of results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms and critical revision for important intellectual content: DP-W. The following author gave final approval of the manuscript: CC.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.