Deceased
James Lawrence Williams
Demographics
62y, male
Coroner
Coroner Dr Jane Hendtlass
Date of death
2010-11-09
Finding date
2011-05-24
Cause of death
Extensive liver tumour, primary site not identified
AI-generated summary
James Williams, a 62-year-old man with intellectual disability, presented to his GP with tiredness, anorexia and fever. Initial assessment suggested possible hepatitis and he was referred to hospital. CT imaging revealed terminal liver cancer with no identifiable primary site. Active treatment was withdrawn and he died 10 days later. The coroner found death resulted from extensive liver tumour. No clinical errors, diagnostic delays, or preventable factors were identified in the assessment or management. The case highlights the challenge of identifying metastatic cancer with unknown primary site in symptomatic patients.
AI-generated summary — refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
FORM 37 Rule 60(1)
FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008 Court reference: 4316/10
Inquest into the Death of JAMES LAWRENCE WILLIAMS
Delivered On: 24 May 2011
Delivered At: Melbourne
Hearing Dates: 24 May 2011
Findings of: Coroner Hendtlass Representation: S/Constable Kelly Ramsay
Place of death: St Vincent’s Hospital
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FORM 37 Rule 60(1)
FINDING INTO DEATH WITH INQUEST Section 67 of the Coroners Act 2008
Court reference: 4316/10 In the Coroners Court of Victoria at Melbourne I, Jane Hendtlass, Coroner having investigated the death of: Details of deceased:
Surname: WILLIAMS
Firstname: JAMES
Address: 6 Canopy Avenue, Kew AND having held an inquest in relation to this death on JAMES WILLIAMS at Melbourne find that the identity of the deceased was J AMES LAWRENCE WILLIAMS and death occurred on 9th November, 2010
at St Vincent’s Hospital
from
Extensive Liver Tumour-Primary Site Not Identified,
in the following circumstances:
2, Mr Williams suffered from an intellectual disability. His medical history included |
asthma, scoliosis, melanoma and basal cell carcinoma, His general practitioner was Dr Peter Wexler.
recent loss of appetite and fever. Dr Wexler ordered a chest X-ray and blood tests and consulted with St Vincents Hospital.
2 of 3
On 30 October 2010, Dr Wexler differentially diagnosed hepatitis and referred Mr Williams to the Emergency Department at St Vincents Hospital.
On 30 October 2010, Mr Williams presented at St Vincents Hospital. He was admitted with a provisional diagnosis of biliary tract disease. However, following a CT angiogram, Mr Williams was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and active treatment was withdrawn.
6, At 12.45pm on 9 November 2010, James Williams died.
death was extensive liver tumour, He was unable to find a clear primary site.
8, Accordingly, I find that James Williams died from extensive liver tumour.
Signature:
24 aay
3 of 3
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