What is a terminal illness?

A terminal illness is an illness or condition which cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone's death. It's sometimes called a life-limiting illness. On this page, we answer questions that you might have about terminal illness.

The information on this page is written for people living with a terminal illness, but may also be useful for family, friends and people close to someone with a diagnosis.

An illness or condition is terminal when:

Some people, including healthcare professionals, may use different definitions. If you're not sure what someone is saying or what their words mean, it's important to ask.

At Marie Curie, we usually use the words terminal illness in our information. This is because we can clearly define it (see above), and it is often the phrase most used by the people we support and their health and social care professionals. But some people prefer to use the words life-limiting illness or incurable illness. Please read this page using the language you feel most comfortable with.

There is no set list of illnesses which are terminal. People who are terminally ill may have a single illness or a number of different conditions.

Examples of some illnesses which can be terminal include:

Remember that these illnesses are not always terminal. If you have questions about your illness, it is best to speak with your healthcare professional.

Advanced cancer is not always terminal, but it can be.

Advanced cancer usually means that there is a lot of cancer or it has spread (is a later stage). Terminal cancer usually means the cancer cannot be controlled and is likely to be the cause of someone's death.

Some advanced cancers can be treated to control their growth or spread, while others are terminal. If you have terminal cancer, you can still have palliative care or treatment, which may focus on managing symptoms.

Some healthcare professionals may define or use the words 'terminal' and 'advanced' differently. If you are not sure about the words your healthcare professional is using, it is best to ask them to explain what they mean.

The healthcare professional managing the treatment for your condition, such as your doctor or consultant, should explain whether your illness is terminal or not. The diagnosis would be given after tests and, in some cases, treatment.

Sometimes healthcare professionals may use different terms or definitions. If you are unsure or worried about whether your illness is terminal, it's best to speak with your healthcare professional.

Someone with a terminal illness may live for days, weeks, months or years. It often depends on their diagnosis and any treatment they are having. It can be difficult for healthcare professionals to predict exactly how long someone with a terminal illness will live (their prognosis).

It can be shocking or upsetting to get a terminal diagnosis, as people sometimes think the word 'terminal' means they will die soon. This might be a worry for you too. It may help to remember that no two experiences of a terminal illness are the same. Sometimes, a person's condition will gradually get worse as the illness progresses. Other people may find that they feel better or worse at different points during their illness – it is not always a straight path.

If you are living with a terminal illness, you will usually have treatment and care which focuses on:

This type of holistic care, which looks after every part of you, is called palliative care. Palliative care aims to make sure you feel supported and comfortable, rather than cure the illness.

You can have other treatments at the same time as palliative care. But sometimes you may stop having other treatments. It can be difficult to cope with stopping treatment, especially if it's because the treatment is not working. If this happens, it's important to let your healthcare team know how you're feeling. They can explain what palliative care you can have and how that may be able to help.

Palliative care may be given at home or in another healthcare setting, such as a hospital or hospice.

By its definition, a terminal illness will not get better – in other words, it cannot be cured. But some terminal illnesses can be treated to help ease symptoms or give a better quality of life.

We know that it can be difficult to cope with a terminal diagnosis, which is why it's important to ask for the support you need. Your healthcare team, and Marie Curie, are here to offer emotional, physical and practical support.

It may take some time to process getting a terminal diagnosis, and we are here to help you make sense of it. You may find our information on living with a terminal illness helpful, which includes guidance on managing symptoms and tips for planning ahead.

You may want to tell other people about your terminal diagnosis, especially those close to you. We have some tips on how to have those conversations that may be useful.

If you need more support about terminal illness or a terminal diagnosis, you can call our free Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk.