ABSTRACT
The case of R, a 40-year-old man, was recently heard in the Court of Protection. At the time of radiological diagnosis, the tumour was considered to be low grade and non-aggressive; the clinicians had opted for an expectant approach. The patient acknowledged his diagnosis and agreed to the management. The court was told that appropriately treated, his prognosis for survival could vary from 12 months to 10 years, depending on the histology, but the tumour remained incurable. By this stage, R was inconsistent as to whether he had a tumour, on some occasions altogether denying its existence. The court was told of the side effects of surgical resection and that the postoperative use of dexamethasone would be hazardous, due to the risk of precipitating psychosis. The Official Solicitor (a lawyer instructed by the court to represent R) submitted that the decision was difficult due to R's young age.
