« Alert: ME says gunshot wound killed Cranston firefighter | Today | CVS trial: Celona tells of becoming point man for CVS »

May 20, 2008

Update: Doctor's statement on Sen. Kennedy's tumor

BOSTON -- U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy has a brain tumor.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat said tests conducted after Kennedy suffered a seizure this weekend show a tumor in his left parietal-lobe. The usual course of treatment includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy, but Kennedy’s treatment will be decided after more tests.

The 76-year-old senator, who is the father of U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., 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 resting comfortably.

Here's a statement released by Dr. Lee Schwamm, Vice Chairman, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and 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."

Last October, the senator, who has served since 1962 and has never lost an election in his home state, had surgery to clear a blockage in a neck artery that is a major supplier of blood to the brain. The procedure was intended to prevent a stroke. At the time, doctors said Kennedy had a major blockage in his carotid artery.

-- With reports from the Associated Press, Journal archives and projo.com

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 2:19 PM | Permalink

Comments

Stephen Peck | May 20, 2008 2:43 PM link

Addie Piette | May 20, 2008 3:27 PM link

PaulaG | May 20, 2008 4:27 PM link

M E T | May 21, 2008 12:37 AM link

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)