Coronial
VIChospital

Finding into death of Adam Barry

Deceased

Adam Barry

Demographics

52y, male

Date of death

2024-05-17

Finding date

2026-08-21

Cause of death

perforation of a hollow viscus complicating oesophageal cancer in a man with cerebral palsy

AI-generated summary

Adam Barry, a 52-year-old man with cerebral palsy, dysphagia, and epilepsy, was diagnosed with metastatic oesophageal cancer in February 2024 after presenting to hospital with vomiting. Living in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) operated by disability service provider Scope, Adam was offered a palliative oesophageal stent procedure to alleviate severe swallowing difficulties but declined invasive intervention, preferring conservative symptom management. Despite anti-nausea medications, antibiotics for suspected aspiration pneumonia, and ongoing specialist palliative care support, his cancer progressed with rapidly advancing metastatic disease across multiple organs. Admitted to Monash Medical Centre in April 2024, he subsequently received end-of-life care at McCulloch House, where his treatment included pain management and seizure prophylaxis. Adam died peacefully on 17 May 2024 from perforation of a hollow viscus as a direct complication of his advanced oesophageal cancer. The coroner found no evidence of inadequate clinical care and identified no opportunities for prevention.

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

Contributing factors

  • metastatic oesophageal cancer
  • cerebral palsy
  • dysphagia
  • aspiration pneumonia
  • progressive cancer metastasis
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