Senator Edward Kennedy Diagnosed With Malignant Brain Tumor

Doctors announced Tuesday that Senator Edward Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor. The tumor is a malignant glioma located in the left parietal lobe, the upper left portion of his brain. The tumor is responsible for Senator Kennedy's recent seizure and subsequent hospitalization. The doctors reported that Senator Kennedy is in "overall good condition" and that he hasn't suffered any further seizures since his admission to the hospital.

A malignant glioma is the most common form of brain cancer, accounting for about 9,000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States. The prognosis depends on the severity of the tumor but it is generally poor.

Senator Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, is 76 years old. It is yet unknown what treatments his doctors have recommended and I'll be interested to see which ones the Senator will choose to pursue. I'll keep you updated on his condition, including the health care decisions Mr. Kennedy makes for his treatment.

Read the full New York Times article

Information about gliomas from the National Cancer Institute

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