Australian judge refuses to order radiotherapy for ill child

SYDNEY (AP) - An Australian judge has ruled in favor of a couple who refused to allow their 6-year-old son to undergo radiotherapy for a malignant brain tumor.

Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth had applied for a Family Court order forcing Oshin Kiszko to undergo radiotherapy for a rare cancer known as medulloblastoma that was diagnosed last year. His parents did not want him to undergo the treatment due to the risk of severe side effects.

But Family Court Chief Judge Stephen Thackray on Friday rejected the hospital's application, noting the parents had agreed to continue chemotherapy instead.

When the cancer was diagnosed, Oshin was given a 50 to 60 percent chance of surviving for five years.

The hospital obtained a court order in March, forcing Oshin to have two cycles of chemotherapy.