A six-year-old Perth boy who was ordered by a West Australian court to receive chemotherapy against the wishes of his parents is responding to the treatment, but is unlikely to survive without radiation, a court has been told.
Oshin Kiszko was diagnosed with brain cancer last year but his parents opposed treatment recommended by doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital due to the severe side effects.
In March the Family Court ordered that Oshin receive chemotherapy, and he was subsequently given two cycles of the treatment.
The court is now determining whether Oshin should also be given radiation, as desired by his medical team.
Family Court chief judge Stephen Thackray heard evidence from a doctor that while Oshin’s cancer had showed signs of receding, it was a partial response and not sufficient for chemotherapy to be effective on its own.
“In my opinion, [radiation is] the only viable curative strategy,” the doctor said.
“If our aim is to cure, that’s what it’s going to take, I’m afraid.”
Oshin would have a 30 to 40 percent chance of survival in five years’ time if he received both chemotherapy and radiation, the doctor said.
The court heard Oshin’s parents would prefer their son be given palliative care but would consider further cycles of chemotherapy as an alternative treatment plan.
The hearing continues.