My father died in 1993 and had radiotherapy and steroid treatments. They probably gave him an extra ... 6 months? And a difficult 6 months for my mother as well, as he was not easy in his mind, particularly in the last months.

Part of the problem was that my mother could not get doctors to give any substantial opinions on the situation as they were so afraid of litigation. Fortunately, a doctor who goes to the same church as mum unofficially explained what was what, so she had some idea as to a time frame (knowing it was terminal). They had a 'do not revive' statement on his medical notes so, when he finally had a very bad 'turn' and was taken into hospital, the end came quickly and was 'uncontested' as it were.

I think mum believed the treatment was the right thing to do, in terms of having a bit more time to prepare.

Interestingly, I was speaking to a nurse here in Wales some months later and mentioned that my father had died of a brain tumour. She looked surprised, and explained a brain tumour is often a secondary cancer and that somewhere else in the body there are other cancers at work.

I have no idea if this is true or not - although I can't think why she would tell me if it wasn't. I only told her so that my own medical notes could be updated (family history stuff) as I had a small brush with the C-word myself a while back.

Don't know if this is any help. But sorry for your trouble.

sian