Ted Kennedy has brain tumor

[Karen]

Karen, 20 years survival after surgery for a malignant brain tumor is a miracle!!

You are correct about the type of tumor - I addressed that in my response to Laura's Babies. Different cell types mean different treatment options and different outcomes. But overall, the prognosis for a malignancy in the brain is not good. Part of the problem is the location. Inside the brain, space is very limited, there is no place to spread out.

I'm curious, did you have a pituitary tumor?

No, I had an acoustic neuroma, which is a tumor on the hearing nerve. That is why I am deaf of one side, but it was removed, so it would not keep growing slowly and eventually kill me.

But I had it removed right at Mass General, and at the time (12 years ago), there were only 8 places in the entire world that surgery could even be done. So Senator Kennedy is in the right place. My surgeon, Dr. Ojemann, has since retired, but I am sure others equally as kind and talented are still there.

They said on the news this evening the usual prognosis for a glioma is 1-5 years survival, but as has been noted, things are improving for cancer treatment all the time.

[Grace]

Mass General - the doctor on CNN this afternoon said Senator Kennedy was in the best hospital on the planet.

I know the reputation of it, having grown up in Rhode Island.

They said on the news this evening the usual prognosis for a glioma is 1-5 years survival, but as has been noted, things are improving for cancer treatment all the time.

That's true, but it is so much slower when the cancer is in the brain. As I mentioned above, my father died of a malignant brain tumor in 1945. He lived 18 months after diagnosis. The survival rate is really not significantly better now - 63 years later. I know there are exceptions, but overall the prognosis is terrible.

[Catty1]

A young woman here in Calgary underwent robotic brain surgery and it was successful. I know it depends on the type of tumour - but with MRI imaging and the precision of the the movements, I guess this bodes well for the future.

Surely if anyone has it, it's Mass General.


(If you want to see the story: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2...c-surgery.html)

[Karen]

That's true, but it is so much slower when the cancer is in the brain. As I mentioned above, my father died of a malignant brain tumor in 1945. He lived 18 months after diagnosis. The survival rate is really not significantly better now - 63 years later. I know there are exceptions, but overall the prognosis is terrible.

Ah, but I know many people who were given a "death sentence" at the time, but live on ... and so I live on in hope, not just for Senator Kennedy, but for everyone facing a cancer diagnosis.

[Grace]

Ah, but I know many people who were given a "death sentence" at the time, but live on ... and so I live on in hope, not just for Senator Kennedy, but for everyone facing a cancer diagnosis.

I like your attitude. My comments come from working many years as a Neuro ICU nurse, where we did not see very many success stories.

[K9karen]

Except for Rose Kennedy, that family never gets a break for a peaceful end. It's always brutal and tragic. We'll hear more because he's in the public eye, but it's so heartbreaking and traumatic for anyone. So sad.

[RICHARD]

Not a political fan of his either, But I hope it's not as bad as it seems.

There is another type of radiation treatment that does not require surgery.

They locate the tumor and irradiate it in place. I'm not up on the names or the kind of rads they use....it's pretty new and it was looking promising!

[Freckles]

They locate the tumor and irradiate it in place.

Sounds like Gamma Knife Surgery. Worked for me!

[moosmom]

The Mass General doctor was right on the money!!! When my daughter, a 16 year cancer survivor of a malignant brain tumor (pineal blastoma), had her tumor removed at the age of 16, she was operated on by a doctor (the top of his field, we were told) from Duke. I will be forever greatful to that man for saving my daughter's life. That, chemo and radiation along with my daughter's very strong will and positive attitude have allowed her to live 15 years (and running) longer than the doctors prognosed.

Senator Kennedy will be in my thoughts and prayers.