What is the natural outcome of the lung abscess?

Poor prognosis: Lung abscess occuring between the lung and chest wall is called an empyema and requires prompt drainage with a tube or surgery. Empyemas tend to be quite acidic and increase in size destroying surrounding and eventually spreading to blood stream. Lung abscess in the lung also tend to increase in size and can enter the blood stream. People who get abscess tend to be in poor health to start with