Senator Edward Kennedy undergoing risky surgery to remove brain tumor

**Laurent** · June 2nd, 2008, 12:10 PM

AP Top News at 12:34 p.m. EDT
33 minutes ago

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was at Duke University Medical Center on Monday for a risky six-hour surgery for his cancerous brain tumor, and faces chemotherapy and radiation treatment following the procedure. The 76-year-old senator was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumor. A statement from the Massachusetts Democrat's office said the surgery would be performed by one of the nation's top neurosurgeons, Dr. Allan Friedman.

The Associated Press: AP Top News at 12:34 p.m. EDT

I guess it must not be a very fast growing tumor or they probably would've done this two weeks ago when they found it.

**msdeb** · June 2nd, 2008, 01:14 PM

hope it goes well. i hear its an 'awake' surgery

**Laurent** · June 2nd, 2008, 01:38 PM

Kennedy out of 'successful' brain surgery
By MIKE BAKER, Associated Press Writer

DURHAM, N.C. - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy underwent what his doctors called successful surgery Monday to treat his cancerous brain tumor, and told his wife shortly after that he "felt like a million bucks," a family spokeswoman said.

The surgery at Duke University Medical Center took about 3 1/2 hours. He is expected to undergo chemotherapy and radiation in coming weeks. He is expected to remain at the North Carolina hospital for about a week.

The 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat was diagnosed last month with a malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumor. Experts had said Dr. Allan Friedman — the top neurosurgeon at Duke and an internationally known tumor and vascular surgeon — was likely try to remove as much of the tumor as possible while balancing the risk of harming healthy brain tissue that affects movement and speech.

Friedman said the surgery "was successful and accomplished our goals." Kennedy was awake during the procedure, and should not experience any permanent neurological effects, he said.

"After a brief recuperation, he will begin targeted radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment," Friedman said. "I hope that everyone will join us in praying for Senator Kennedy to have an uneventful and robust recovery."

Family spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said Kennedy spoke to his wife, Vicki, and told her: "I feel like a million bucks. I think I'll do that again tomorrow."

Kennedy was hospitalized May 17 at Massachusetts General Hospital after undergoing a seizure at his home on Cape Cod. Doctors later announced that he had a malignant glioma in his left parietal lobe, a brain region that governs sensation but also plays some role in movement and language. A malignant glioma is one of the worst kinds of brain cancer, and malignant gliomas are diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year.

Kennedy said in a statement released by his office earlier in the day that he and his wife "along with my outstanding team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital, have consulted with experts from around the country and have decided that the best course of action for my brain tumor is targeted surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation."

Kennedy out of 'successful' brain surgery - Yahoo! News

**tkdgirl** · June 2nd, 2008, 02:19 PM

Just read on Yahoo it went very well. Prayers for Kennedy and his family.

**NicoleWasHere** · June 2nd, 2008, 03:33 PM

I was just about to post an article on this. I hope he's doing okay, and will recover.

**Quazar** · June 2nd, 2008, 05:44 PM

I wish him well. I hope he can beat this, somehow.

**LynnieD** · June 2nd, 2008, 05:47 PM

What is his prognosis though?

I am glad he made it through....

**Laurent** · June 2nd, 2008, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by LynnieD

What is his prognosis though?

His doctors haven't released one for him, but I've read that for this type of cancer, the prognosis is generally pretty grim.

**LynnieD** · June 2nd, 2008, 05:58 PM

^That was the impression I got as well. Wasn't sure if I had missed something...

Certainly hope it's not a long drawn out thing for him and his family.

**tkdgirl** · June 2nd, 2008, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Laurent

His doctors haven't released one for him, but I've read that for this type of cancer, the prognosis is generally pretty grim.

Wish they had this surgery ten years ago when my mom had this same tumor.

Back then, it was experimental surgery and not perfected.

**qwerty** · June 2nd, 2008, 07:33 PM

My friend is being treated by Dr. Friedman for her brain tumour. If he's good enough for Teddy, clearly she's in good hands.

**viggofan** · June 2nd, 2008, 08:19 PM

wishing him well.

**TonjaLasagna** · June 2nd, 2008, 09:24 PM

A friend died of the same type of brain tumor, 2 yrs after he was diagnosed. My friend was a surgical oncologist.
He fought valiantly at the beginning, but didn't get off the couch the last 2 months of his life. We found him the best surgeon and he removed enough of the tumor, so my friend could have a normal life for almost 2 yrs. He could talk, walk and play with his young son.

As a cancer survivor, sometimes I think it's harder for the immediate family to have to stand by and watch someone go through it. I know it would be much tougher for me to be the bystander.