Finding into death of Pamela Cakebread

51y · Female·Complications of metastatic ovarian carcinoma

Pamela Cakebread, aged 51, died from complications of metastatic ovarian carcinoma in March 2009. She presented with nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension caused by tumour-related bowel obstruction. Following family consultation, a palliative approach was adopted given the terminal diagnosis. Death occurred in hospital as an expected outcome of advanced malignancy. The coroner found no suspicious circumstances. This case illustrates the importance of early recognition of cancer complications, timely family discussion regarding goals of care, and appropriate transition to palliative management in advanced malignancy with poor prognosis.