Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Senator Kennedy diagnosed with a brain tumor
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Our thoughts and prayers are with Senator Kennedy and his family.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor.
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.
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. – AP
Posted by Matt at 1:20 PM 
The good news is that brain tumors are much more treatable now than they were a generation ago. In addition to radiation and chemo, there are some interesting newer treatments.
The bad news is that if they’re saying “primary glioma” — that’s indicative of a generally nasty set of fast growing tumors, some worse than others. (“Glioma” is the most expansive, generic term — based on the specific tumor type, it could be an astrocytoma, an oligodendroglioma, etc.)
The specific type, and the specific location will dictate the preferred course of treatment.
Like all of us, I hope they get it, and get it soon, and that it doesn’t recur. It’s hard to say what the prognosis is without knowing his overall health condition, and the size, location, and tissue type.
Ted Kennedy is something special, and has been for a long time. May they have caught it early…..
Just thought some of you might want the medical perspective….
Thanks to docjess for the medical details. This is very sad. May they have caught it early ineed.
As a Republican I will put down the gloves and pray for Senator Kennedy and pray for the best.
My mother passed away April 27 of this year from a grade 4 glioblastoma she was 72, it was discovered last May after she suffered seizures, the same as Mr. Kennedy.
They have made no progress with grade 4 tumors over the last 25 years sorry to say, so pray that it is not a grade 4.
I write this only because it has to be said, no one should get the wrong idea about the serious condition that now faces Mr. Kennedy and his family.
My mothers tumor was 6mm x 2mm when discovered, size does not matter with some tumors, so again pray that it is not a glioblastoma.
My heart goes out to Mr. Kennedy and his family and all who have faced this horrible cancer. It is truly a sad day.
Andrew Smith
This is truly sad, whether you like the man’s politics or the man himself or not.
From everything I’ve read up on since I heard the story, this doesn’t sound good.