AP: Edward Kennedy Has Malignant Brain Tumor

boloboffin

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Just breaking all over:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/K/KENNEDY?SITE=NYNYP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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. 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.
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At his age, and because brain tumors are among the least treatable of cancers, I suspect this is the beginning of the end. It is quite sad, but Ted needs to bow out now and make a gracious exit. Even if he does beat the thing, he is going to be far to busy and sick to function in Congress.

I wish him and his family the best.
 
I also hope he recovers, but I have my doubts...

A former classmate of mine died just last week of a malignant brain tumor that was diagnosed in 2007. Looking at pictues of our 2005 class reunion showed him with one side of his face drooping and a "go-funny" eye - early symptoms of brain damage. He was also a heavy drinker, a former athlete, and only 51 years old.

The Honorable Ted Kennedy may not be long for this world, I fear.
 
My wife called it on day one. She said he's either having alcohol withdrawal or has a brain tumor. She's an experienced nurse and a darn good one. Her reasoning is that you very rarely go through life without seizures and then start to have seizures without a root cause.

Best wishes for a full recovery. The bible says three score and ten, so you're ahead of the game.
 
IANAD, but my understanding is there are untreatable brain tumors and there are treatable ones. Hoping it's the latter.
 
Very unfortunate. Kennedy has a long distinguished career. I hope the best for him and comfort to his loved ones.
 
RandFan said:
Very unfortunate. Kennedy has a long distinguished career. I hope the best for him and comfort to his loved ones.
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Though I am a liberal and usually vote Democrat, I'd have to say Kennedy has a long and checkered career. He's done some very good things. He's also toed the party line when they were saying stupid things. Also, he, like Vito Fossella, had a drunk driving charge. I'm not saying that disqualifies one for office, far from it, but it has ruined the career of many a congressman.
 
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BPSCG said:
IANAD, but my understanding is there are untreatable brain tumors and there are treatable ones. Hoping it's the latter.
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Malignant brain tumors are for all practical purposes untreatable. Doctors used to try aggressive surgery where the entire tumor and a large portion of brain around it were removed, but the cancer always came back. Now the most they can do is repeated surgeries to "trim" the tumor.
 
Tricky said:
Though I am a liberal and usually vote Democrat, I'd have to say Kennedy has a long and checkered career. He's done some very good things. He's also toed the party line when they were saying stupid things. Also, he, like Vito Fossella, had a drunk driving charge. I'm not saying that disqualifies one for office, far from it, but it has ruined the career of many a congressman.
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Kennedy possessed that most important of traits, he was human. I don't excuse his excesses. I never bought his version of Chappaquiddick. You are right. But I don't have a problem thinking mostly about the good things he has done on a day like today.

ETA: I'm kinda sorry to resurrect Mary Jo. Let me say that I do not at all think Kennedy killed her. I think he got out of the car before the accident. I think the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that he didn't know until the following day that there had been an accident. Again, sorry for opening that can of worms.
 
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RandFan said:
Kennedy possessed that most important of traits, he was human. I don't excuse his excesses. I never bought his version of Chappaquiddick. You are right. But I don't have a problem thinking mostly about the good things he has done on a day like today.

ETA: I'm kinda sorry to resurrect Mary Jo. Let me say that I do not at all think Kennedy killed her. I think he got out of the car before the accident. I think the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that he didn't know until the following day that there had been an accident. Again, sorry for opening that can of worms.
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I think you're right in both paragraphs.

He did a lot of good, he made a lot of mistakes, but you pretty much always had a good idea of where he stood. I hope he gets through this as best as possible and I hope that my former home has somebody who can step up and take his place. Teddy's tough, but I think this is one of those things where stepping back might be the best course of action.

And good lord is Kerry useless.
 
This is extremely sad. I hope for the best for him and his family.
 
RandFan said:
Kennedy possessed that most important of traits, he was human. I don't excuse his excesses. I never bought his version of Chappaquiddick. You are right. But I don't have a problem thinking mostly about the good things he has done on a day like today.

ETA: I'm kinda sorry to resurrect Mary Jo. Let me say that I do not at all think Kennedy killed her. I think he got out of the car before the accident. I think the evidence overwhelmingly supports the idea that he didn't know until the following day that there had been an accident. Again, sorry for opening that can of worms.
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I think you're right. I think in trying to cover up a relatively minor indiscretion, he wound up looking guilty of something far worse.
 
Tricky said:
At his age, and because brain tumors are among the least treatable of cancers, I suspect this is the beginning of the end. It is quite sad, but Ted needs to bow out now and make a gracious exit. Even if he does beat the thing, he is going to be far to busy and sick to function in Congress.
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Yeah, dude, take your family hundreds of millions and enjoy what little time you may have left.
 
aggle-rithm said:
Malignant brain tumors are for all practical purposes untreatable. Doctors used to try aggressive surgery where the entire tumor and a large portion of brain around it were removed, but the cancer always came back. Now the most they can do is repeated surgeries to "trim" the tumor.
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I just checked the wikipedia page on gliomas and it says of grade 4 gliomas (the most common in adults):
The prognosis is the worst for grade 4 gliomas, with an average survival time of 12 months. Overall, few patients survive beyond 3 years.
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Don't know what grade Kennedy's is, but it sounds bad.
 
Beerina said:
Yeah, dude, take your family hundreds of millions and enjoy what little time you may have left.
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Beerina, don't go there.

I hate Kennedy's politics, his stands on issues, his cheap pandering to the left, his class-warfare brand of politics, his personal habits, and the fact that (I believe) he got drunk and killed a woman.

But I won't cheer his illness or his death. I was repelled by the unrestrained glee shown around these parts when Jerry Falwell died, and would be no less repelled by any celebrations of Kennedy's illness or death.
 
I, too, found the celebrations of Falwell's death tasteless and contrary to the ideals that those opposed to Falwell should hold. I do not think death is ever something to celebrate or rejoice in. Even when Saddam was killed, I did not view it as a time to enjoy.

Now, the death of detestable poltical/social ideologies is cause for celebration. But they rarely coincide with the death of individuals.
 
Four friends have died of brain cancer. All were heavy drinkers, so I suspect a brain cancer/alcohol connection. One was three weeks from diagnosis to funeral, with surgery too. Poor prognosis, I guess the early signs are just passed off as headache, or hangover?
 
Sad news, while I hated his politics no one deserves this.

Probably in bad taste to speculate on what happens to his Senate seat at this time.
 
WildCat said:
Sad news, while I hated his politics no one deserves this.

Probably in bad taste to speculate on what happens to his Senate seat at this time.
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Interesting side note to that: The State Legislature voted to remove the selection process from the Governor (then Romney) to prevent a Republican being selected had Kerry won. Now, I believe there is a special election process once the seat is vacated.
 
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