Purpose: Malignant fungating tumors are neoplastic tumors associated with skin ulcers, which are susceptible to microbial colonization. Bacterial infection and proliferation may lead to malodor causing distress to patients. Metronidazole-an effective agent against anaerobes-may contribute to deodorization and improvement in quality of life (QOL). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of topical metronidazole 0.75 % gel for alleviation of malodor in anaerobically infected fungating neoplastic tumors.
Methods: This was a multicenter, open-label, non-controlled, phase III study including subjects aged 20 years or older with cutaneous fungating tumors releasing malodor (minimum score of 2 (mildly offensive smell) on a scale from 0 (no smell) to 4 (extremely offensive smell) based on investigator's assessment). Subjects applied metronidazole 0.75 % gel once or twice daily at the investigator's discretion for 14 days. Success was defined as an odor score of 0 or 1 at day 14, as assessed by the investigator. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a satisfaction questionnaire. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred after application of metronidazole 0.75 % gel were also reported.
Results: A total of 21 subjects at a median age of 65.0 years were enrolled. The success rate of deodorization at day 14 was 95.2 % (20/21 subjects). The patient satisfaction assessment showed that 71.4 % (15/21) of subjects were markedly or moderately improved. The treatment was well tolerated with only two AE cases of skin neoplasm bleeding (one mild and one moderate).
Conclusions: Metronidazole 0.75 % gel is an effective and safe treatment for deodorization of malodorous fungating tumors.
Keywords: Clinical trial; Malodorous fungating tumors; Odor; Skin ulcer; Topical metronidazole.