Inquest into the death of Dat Nhieu HA

45y · Male·abdominal sepsis on a background of metastatic lung carcinoma

A 45-year-old man with advanced metastatic lung cancer died from abdominal sepsis secondary to bowel perforation while imprisoned. He presented with respiratory symptoms in January 2019, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer following bronchoscopy, and received radiotherapy. In February, he developed acute abdominal pain from small bowel perforation, managed conservatively with fluids, antibiotics, and analgesia given his terminal cancer diagnosis. He subsequently developed hospital-acquired pneumonia and died in palliative care. The coroner found his care and treatment were appropriate throughout his illness. This case highlights the complexity of managing advanced cancer in custodial settings and the importance of early recognition of abdominal complications in cancer patients, though active intervention may not be appropriate in terminal disease.