Coroner's Finding: Chuah Soo Lan

65y · Female·undetermined; possibly ischaemic heart disease or squamous cell carcinoma of tongue

A 65-year-old Malaysian woman with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue refused medical treatment due to visa concerns and preference for alternative therapy. She deteriorated over months with worsening oral symptoms, pain, and functional decline. In her final week she became incontinent, lethargic, and dyspnoeic. She died at home and was buried on private property without reporting to authorities. Autopsy was inconclusive but suggested possible ischaemic heart disease or cancer as causes. The case highlights the critical importance of addressing patient fears about immigration status to enable access to life-saving medical care, and the need for early intervention when patients with serious diagnoses refuse conventional treatment.