A chemical hemostatic technique for bleeding from malignant wounds

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer, skin cancer, and head and neck cancer often develops a hemorrhagic malignant wound. Bleeding from the tumor impairs patients' quality of life and can be life threatening, while surgical or electrical hemostasis is often unsuccessful because of the tumor's friability.

Methods: We performed a chemical hemostatic treatment for breast cancer hemorrhage with zinc chloride paste (Mohs' paste), which is usually applied as a fixative in micrographic surgery for cutaneous neoplasms. Five patients with bleeding from breast cancer under various circumstances were treated with this technique in 2008.

Results: The method was successful on first application for all five patients, and hemostasis was maintained long term.

Conclusions: This simple technique is effective for bleeding from malignant wounds and should be learned by health professionals performing cancer care.