Edward Kennedy, the brother of assassinated President John F. Kennedy and the elder statesman of American liberal politics, has a malignant brain tumor, his doctors said on Tuesday.Kennedy, 76, who has been hospitalized in Boston since he had a seizure on Saturday, will likely need chemotherapy and radiation therapy to treat the glioma, a type of tumor that usually kills within three years.A brief statement by Dr. Lee Schwamm of Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Larry Ronan, a primary physician there, did not give details on Kennedy's diagnosis or outlook and did not mention the possibility of surgically removing the tumor -- the best hope for longer survival."Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe. The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy," the statement said."Decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Senator Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis," it said. They doctors said Kennedy would remain at the hospital for the next couple of days and added: "He remains in good spirits and full of energy."Other experts called the diagnosis a serious one and agreed the tumor would very likely kill Kennedy.Kennedy, who has been a senator for 46 years, is one of the most respected figures in U.S. politics and news of his condition prompted a wave of shock and sympathy in Washington."We're pulling for our pal. And I know he is determined to fight this," said fellow Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, like Kennedy a former presidential candidate.President George W. Bush, a Republican with many opposing political views but who worked with Kennedy on a major education bill, called him a "man of tremendous courage, remarkable strength, and powerful spirit" and said: "We join our fellow Americans in praying for his full recovery."
Source: http://www.reuters.com
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