Tributes for boy after death from cancer

The mother of a six-year-old Perth boy, who died from brain cancer following a court battle over his treatment, says it was hard to let go of her son, as friends and strangers paid tribute to him on social media.

Oshin Kiszko died in his mother's arms about 2am on Wednesday after receiving palliative care for the past few months.

"Oshin's journey has been extraordinarily traumatising for him and I am grateful he no long needs to suffer through this nightmare," Angela Kiszko told 7 News.

Ms Kiszko posted on Facebook last week that her son was close to death.

"I have no words to describe this process of letting go of this beautiful boy," she wrote.

"Oshin has loved me so much, taught me honour, showed me fun, placed his trust in me, showed me very clearly children have voices and deserve respect and so, so much more."

Angela Raddon was among those paying tribute on social media, writing: "Today the world didn't lose Oshin, it changed because of Oshin."

Marta Csobolya posted: "I know you did everything you could to make his short life as loving and happy as possible."

Oshin was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour last year, but his parents opposed the treatment recommended by doctors due to severe side effects.

The case was repeatedly brought to the Family Court, with the parents at one point agreeing to some chemotherapy before it was agreed there was no longer benefit to continuing chemotherapy alone.

The hospital applied to force Oshin to have further medical treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but his parents argued he should receive palliative care and die with dignity and in peace given his chances of cure were remote.

Justice Richard O'Brien sided with the parents, but stressed his view that the case did not set a precedent.

He also commented that the case was solely about Oshin's best interests as an individual facing specific circumstances rather than parental rights, the perceived power of the medical profession, quality of life versus duration of life, or the merits of traditional medicine and alternative therapies.

Nonetheless, Oshin's story divided Australians, with some arguing the parents had a right to choose their son's care and treatment, while others claimed the advice of medical professionals should have been followed.