Sen. Kennedy Diagnosed with Malignant Brain Tumor

Story Updated 10:47AM Wednesday, May 21, 2008

– Allison Goldsberry

Three days after being hospitalized following a seizure, US Senator Edward Kennedy has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Despite the diagnosis, Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement Sen. Kennedy is in overall good condition and is in “good spirits and full of energy.”

A biopsy of his brain revealed a malignant tumor in the left parietal lobe. Sen. Kennedy’s treatment has yet to be determined, but the hospital says usual treatment includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.

According to MGH, Sen. Kennedy has left the hospital Wednesday morning, one day ahead of schedule, and is heading to Cape Cod to recuperate while doctors determine a treatment plan.

Dr. Lee Schwamm, Vice Chairman, Department of Neurology, MGH, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Primary Care Physician, MGH, released the following statement Tuesday afternoon:

“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.”

US Representative Edward Markey (D-Malden), dean of the MA congressional delegation, released the following statement about his friend and colleague:

“Ted Kennedy is the greatest Senator in American history and a tireless fighter for America ’s families. I know that he will take on this latest challenge with the same fighting spirit, strength and courage he has always shown. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his wife, Vicki, and his family. I look forward to seeing him fully recover and working with him for many, many more years to come.”

US Senator John Kerry also released a statement about his close friend and Senate colleague.

“Ted Kennedy and the Kennedy family have faced adversity more times, in more instances, with more courage and more determination and more grace than any family should ever have to face even just once.

“He’s helped millions and millions of people, in so many ways, at so many different times, from countless big pieces of legislation in Washington to the most personal of issues.

“Now, everybody needs to pull together on behalf of Ted. We must pull for him and his family and remember that Teddy is one unbelievable fighter.

“Over the weekend, I saw him and he’s in a fighting mood, and I’m confident that he will continue to draw strength from his tower of strength in Vicki, from each of his children and grandchildren, and from his unbelievably loving and caring family, both in Boston and from his extended family of Americans and people all over the world.

“I know that Ted is determined to fight this because he wants to continue his fight for the people of Massachusetts and he wants to continue to fight for everything that he believes in here in the United States Senate and throughout our country.

“Teresa’s and my prayers – and the prayers of a nation – are with my good friend and his family in these most trying of times.”

The Medford City Council passed a resolution at their meeting Tuesday night wishing the senator well and for a “speedy recovery.”

“Whether you like him or not…he is probably the most effective senator in the history of the Senate,” said City Councilor Robert Maiocco.

Sen. Kennedy, the state’s senior senator, was first elected to the US Senate in 1962 to serve out his brother John’s term after he was elected president. Sen. Kennedy, 76, has been elected to seven full terms since then and is the second most senior member of the Senate.

Anyone who would like to send Sen. Kennedy words of encouragement can do so through his website.