What happened, in summary

A 67-year-old woman was transferred to hospital with worsening shortness of breath and a persistent dry cough. Antibiotics had not improved her symptoms. Chest imaging showed collapse of part of the right lung and a pleural effusion.

Bronchoscopy showed narrowing of the airways that was concerning for cancer. Biopsy confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. The tissue also contained Actinomyces bacteria, raising the possibility that a lung infection was present at the same time. Antibiotic treatment was intensified when she developed a new fever.

Her overall condition was poor, and chemotherapy was considered unsafe. She therefore did not receive anticancer systemic treatment. Her cancer progressed quickly, with a large malignant pleural effusion and worsening clinical condition. She also developed a pulmonary embolism.

She died within the following weeks from complications of the progressing lung adenocarcinoma.