Coronial
QLDhospital

Inquest into the death of Shane Anthony May

Deceased

Shane Anthony May

Demographics

61y, male

Coroner

Ryan

Date of death

2022-05-11

Finding date

2024-12-16

Cause of death

Multiorgan failure, due to, or as a consequence of metastatic lung cancer (suspicious of bronchogenic carcinoma left lung)

AI-generated summary

Shane Anthony May, a 61-year-old prisoner, died of multiorgan failure secondary to metastatic lung cancer after 44 days in custody. He presented with COVID-19 symptoms on reception, then developed progressive respiratory and abdominal symptoms. Lung lesions were identified on imaging in early April, with subsequent discovery of extensive liver metastases by May. The coroner found Mr May received regular, timely and appropriate medical care while incarcerated, with no clinical delays that would have altered outcome. A forensic pathologist confirmed that even earlier diagnosis would not have changed prognosis given the aggressive nature of metastatic disease. Care was appropriately transitioned to palliative management based on his wishes and in consultation with family. No clinical errors or preventable factors were identified.

AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.

Specialties

emergency medicinerespiratory medicineoncologypalliative carehepatologycorrectional healthgeneral medicine

Drugs involved

amlodipineezetimibefenofibratelevothyroxineliothyronineloperamidemetoclopramidepantoprazolerivaroxabanmirtazapinefentanylondansetronoxycodonemorphine

Clinical conditions

metastatic lung cancerbronchogenic carcinomahepatic metastatic diseaseacute liver failurepulmonary embolismsepsisCOVID-19hypothyroidismhypertensiondyslipidaemiadepressiondiverticular diseaseCOPD

Procedures

CT scan with contrastchest X-rayabdominal CT scanCT pulmonary angiogramCT scan of brain and abdomenelectrocardiogramblood culturespathology testingsyringe driver initiation

Contributing factors

  • metastatic lung cancer with aggressive progression
  • extensive hepatic metastatic disease
  • acute liver failure secondary to liver metastases
  • comorbidities including hypothyroidism, hypertension, dyslipidaemia
  • previous history of cancer (tongue cancer 2014, melanoma 2020)
Full text

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