Cancer as a Consideration for a Non-healing Lower Extremity Wound

Lower extremity wounds are common among elderly patients living in assisted living and long-term care facilities, with prevalence in this population ranging from 11-15% (Takahashi et al. "A retrospective cohort study of factors that affect healing in long-term care residents with chronic wounds." Ostomy Wound Manage. 2009 Jan;55(1):32-7.). Wounds around the ankle are a familiar sight, as they are often related to venous insufficiency and prolonged dependence. Impaired wound healing is typically attributed to lack of compression, inability to elevate the legs, or additional contributing factors such as arterial insufficiency, diabetes, or infections.