If a patient is untreated for tertiary syphilis, what might develop?

In the case of untreated tertiary syphilis, cardiovascular complications may develop as the disease progresses. Tertiary syphilis is the final stage of syphilis and can occur years after the initial infection. It is characterized by severe tissue damage that can affect various organ systems. One of the most significant complications is the potential for cardiovascular involvement, which can lead to conditions such as aortitis (inflammation of the aorta), aneurysms, or valvular heart disease.

During this stage, the spirochete Treponema pallidum may cause damage to blood vessels and heart tissues, leading to severe complications that require immediate medical attention. These cardiovascular problems can be life-threatening and underscore the critical need for diagnosis and treatment during earlier stages of syphilis to prevent such outcomes. The other options do not accurately describe the potential consequences of untreated tertiary syphilis. For instance, improvement of symptoms is unlikely without treatment, progressive malignancy is not associated with syphilis, and general physical health is typically compromised rather than maintained in the face of untreated tertiary syphilis.