Ted Kennedy has brain tumor

[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!

[Catty1]

http://cfcn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNe...eleased_080521

Ted Kennedy being released from hospital

The Associated Press

Wed. May. 21 2008 9:34 AM ET

BOSTON — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is being released from the hospital, one day after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour that experts say is almost certainly fatal.

Doctors said Wednesday the Massachusetts Democrat "has recovered remarkably quickly" from a biopsy conducted after he suffered a seizure last weekend at his home on Cape Cod.

The doctors say he will await further test results and treatment options while convalescing at his home over the Memorial Day weekend.

Kennedy has been treated at Massachusetts General Hospital for what doctors now say is a malignant glioma in his left parietal lobe. Malignant gliomas are diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year; in general, half of all patients die within a year.

[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.