Finding into death of George Scott Boyens

66y · Male·Complications of multiple sclerosis and left tongue squamous cell carcinoma

George Scott Boyens, a 66-year-old with multiple sclerosis and newly diagnosed left tongue squamous cell carcinoma, died from complications of these conditions following a brief palliative care admission. He was admitted in May 2025 with malnutrition and pain, underwent nasogastric tube placement and short-course palliative radiotherapy, but declined further treatment after experiencing distress during radiotherapy. He was transitioned to comfort-focused care and died three days later. The coroner found his care was reasonable and appropriate throughout. This case highlights the importance of early palliative care discussions, responsive adjustment of treatment goals when patients express distress, and dignity-focused end-of-life planning in complex patients with multiple serious conditions.