Ted Kennedy has malignant brain tumour

by Rachel Nixon | May 20, 2008 at 01:25 pm | 580 views | 16 comments

by charles_hynes

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The Democratic party stalwart Senator Edward Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.

CNN is reporting that President Bush has said he is "deeply saddened" by the news.

NowPublic contributor master_jim2008's views on Ted Kennedy.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat say tests conducted after Kennedy suffered a seizure this weekend show a tumor in his left parietal lobe. Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma, they said.

His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.

The 76-year-old senator has been hospitalized in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from Cape Cod after a seizure at his home.

His wife and children have been with him each day but have made no public statements.

His doctors said in a statement released to The Associated Press that he has had no further seizures, is in good spirits and is resting comfortably.

Malignant gliomas are a type of brain cancer diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year -- and the most common type among adults.

It's a starting diagnosis: How well patients fare depends on what specific tumor type is determined by further testing.

Average survival can range from less than a year for very advanced and aggressive types -- such as glioblastomas -- or to about five years for different types that are slower growing.

Senate colleagues have been quick to react to the news of Kennedy's illness.

Sen. John Kerry, a Kennedy friend and fellow Massachusetts Democrat, arrived late and entered a back door to the lunch. Looking drained, he declined to comment except to nod that he had spoken to Kennedy's family.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, spoke quietly on his cell phone outside the lunch. He looked emotional when he hung up and told a reporter, "I can't say anything."

Durbin later released a statement: "Ted Kennedy has spent his life caring for those in need. Now it's time for those who love Ted and his family to care for them and join in prayer to give them strength."

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota, predicted if anyone could overcome illness, Kennedy would. "Look what he's been through in his life," Conrad said.

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cynthia yoo

at 13:30 on May 20th, 2008

BREAKING:

Rachel Nixon, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

Jarrett Martineau

at 13:51 on May 20th, 2008

good stuff:

Perhaps 'sad' more than 'good' stuff. Thanks for sharing this story. I wish Kennedy all the best.

politisite

at 14:04 on May 20th, 2008

good stuff:

Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff. I am watching a live feed from Boston channel 7. Good catch. I just woke up. Glad you caught so fast. No wonder your the news director!

politisite

at 14:15 on May 20th, 2008

Here's the National Cancer Institute's explanation of the tumor:

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumor, accounting for
more than half of the more than 18,000 primary malignant brain tumors diagnosed
each year in the United States. These tumors are the second-most common cause of
cancer death in the 15 to 44 age group.

The outlook for patients with malignant gliomas is poor. Median survival for
patients with moderately severe (grade III) malignant gliomas is three to five
years. For patients with the most severe, aggressive form of malignant glioma
(grade IV glioma or glioblastoma multiforme), median survival is less than a
year.

Surgery is recommended for all operable brain tumors and is usually followed
by radiation therapy. Several studies have shown that adding chemotherapy to
radiation can improve patients' survival. In June 2004, after the completion of
the current study, researchers announced that adding the drug temozolomide
(Temodar®) to radiation therapy increased median survival in patients with
glioblastoma multiforme by about two months (see related story). This approach
is now considered the standard of care for the initial treatment of these
tumors.

politisite

at 14:43 on May 20th, 2008

Here is the Statement from the Mass General

Dr. Lee Schwamm
Department of Neurology
Massachusetts General Hospital

Dr. Larry Ronan
Primary Care Physician
Massachusetts General Hospital:

“Over the course of the last several days, we’ve done a series of tests on Senator Kennedy to determine the cause of his seizure. He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital. Some of the tests we had performed were inconclusive, particularly in light of the fact that the Senator had severe narrowing of the left carotid artery and underwent surgery just 6 months ago. However, preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe. The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy. Decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Senator Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis. Senator Kennedy will remain at Massachusetts General Hospital for the next couple of days according to routine protocol. He remains in good spirits and full of energy.”

Source: Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA

Rachel Nixon

at 14:49 on May 20th, 2008

Many thanks for the updates, Politisite.

politisite

at 14:57 on May 20th, 2008

your welcome

AlvarezGalloso

at 14:56 on May 20th, 2008

good stuff:

Rachel Nixon, I like this story. It's good stuff. While I want to congratulate you for getting the story out so quickly, I cannot say it is good news. My sympathies are with Ted Kennedy and his family. I studied medicine in the Dominican Republic and graduated as Doctor of Medicine [although I am in the Administrative Sphere] and a Glioma is a tumour of bad to poor prognosis.

politisite

at 14:58 on May 20th, 2008

That's what I like about NP! We don't need to call an expert, we have them already!

aheilner

at 15:21 on May 20th, 2008

This photo of Kennedy (the one where he looks pensive, against the black background) was taken at Barack Obama's rally in East Rutherford, New Jersey on February 4th, 2008, shortly after Kennedy first publicly endorsed Obama.

aheilner has contributed a photo to this story.

phrolen

at 15:41 on May 20th, 2008

good stuff:

Rachel Nixon, Thanks Rachel, this is both sad and terrible news.

eastvanray

at 18:32 on May 20th, 2008

Chappaquiddick? Did someone say Chappaquiddick?

twilight

at 19:48 on May 20th, 2008

Sorry to hear about Mr. Kennedy. He was quite the revolutionary in every sense of the word- quite a fighter in office. He has been through alot in his life- and he still pulled through.

PJHanley

at 23:20 on May 20th, 2008

Ted Kennedy in great spirits the day the 2007 Red Sox World Series trophy made a trip to Capitol Hill.

PJHanley has contributed a photo to this story.

duo

at 02:09 on May 21st, 2008

What a human rights advocate we have had in Senator Kennedy for many years! I join all those who sincerely pray for him and for his family. I also petition God to send another outstanding representative from Massachusetts to continue working for Americans as Senator Kennedy dedicated his life to doing. The news of Senator Kennedy's tumor is indeed very tragic. We have been blessed by his courageous leadership throughout his career in public service.

Mary

dustinturin

at 02:16 on May 21st, 2008

Ted Kennedy, speaking on behalf of Barack Obama at a Boston rally early in 2008. Kennedy was full of energy, and the crowd received him enthusiastically.

dustinturin has contributed a photo to this story.