A 10-year-old Perth girl with cancer died in El Salvador where she received alternative treatments, an inquest has heard.

Tamar Stitt's mother and father refused to let her undergo conventional medical treatments, Perth coroner's court was told.

She died in November 2009 after undergoing therapies that included having mud treatments wrapped around her abdomen.

Tamar was diagnosed with liver cancer a few months earlier but her parents rejected medical advice that she undergo chemotherapy and surgery.

Counsel assisting the WA coroner, Kate Ellson, said when Tamar was in El Salvador she was given red mud therapy from her mother, which involved mixing red clay found in the hills surrounding their house with water and wrapping it around Tamar's torso with a cloth.

"She was also on a diet of fresh food and vegetables and was being given herbal tea containing dandelion and other herbs," Ms Ellson said.

Doctor said parents wanted the best for their daughter

The inquest is examining what caused Tamar's death and whether it could have been prevented.

Doctor Alastair Nuttall told the court Tamar's parents felt they were bullied by medical staff who advised she receive chemotherapy.

He said that her parents wanted the best for their daughter but seemed frightened about what they were facing.

Outside the court, Dr Nuttall said the case was a tragedy.

"A child has died, the parents are grieving, families have been destroyed, that's really what needs to be forefront," he said.

"It's about trying to make sure that type of thing is minimised. They loved their child."

Earlier, the inquest heard Tamar's father, Trevor, had told police his wife was a healer who believed in natural remedies.

Senior Constable Sharon Powell said Mr Stitt told her during a search of his house that he and his wife had cured Tamar of asthma at an early age, and they did not believe in the process of chemotherapy.

However Constable Powell said Mr Stitt also told her that he had been able to finally persuade his wife to let Tamar undergo chemotherapy in El Salvador, but it was too late.

Her parents, who are now separated, have been at the coroner's court for the hearing.

Her father broke down when a television interview with his daughter was aired during proceedings.

The inquest was adjourned briefly so he could compose himself.