Their prognosis is poor and they are not expected to live very long.

CNN: Genetic disease: Mother hopes for cure for dying children

It is especially good when the prognosis with standard treatment is poor.

CNN: Are there any treatments for acute myelogenous leukemia?

Finally Jean Rochefort, the French actor cast as Don Quixote, is crippled by a double herniated disk, and, given his poor prognosis, insurance adjustors pull the plug on the whole production.

WSJ: 'The Recruit' Is a Singularly Silly Mess