Sen. Edward Kennedy diagnosed with malignant brain tumor
A biopsy was performed to determine the cause of the seizure Kennedy suffered over the weekend. As tributes from politicians of both parties pour in, doctors say he is 'in good overall condition.'
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), the lion of Senate liberals, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, doctors announced today.
In a statement, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital said the 76-year-old senator, who has served in the Senate since 1962, has suffered no additional seizures since a weekend incident that landed him in the hospital.
"Over the course of the last several days, we've done a series of tests on Sen. Kennedy to determine the cause of his seizure," said Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the hospital's department of neurology, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy's primary care physician. "He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital."
The doctors said that "preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe." Noting that "the usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy," the doctors said decisions about his care will be finalized after further testing.
"Sen. Kennedy will remain at Massachusetts General Hospital for the next couple of days according to routine protocol," said the statement. "He remains in good spirits and full of energy."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada read the press release to Democratic senators during their weekly luncheon today. Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska described the reaction as stunned silence. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont said later, "I'm having a hard time remembering a day in my 34 years here that I felt this badly."
Afterward, Reid told reporters that the Senate stands "as a body and certainly as a Democratic family" in sending prayers.
"My heart dropped when I heard the news," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Noting that he has "great physicians, a loving and beautiful wife in Vicki, and the indomitable Kennedy spirit," Feinstein said, "I look forward to the day when Sen. Kennedy is back on the Senate floor, giving one of his famous stem-winder speeches. I hope that day will be soon."
The news was also announced at the weekly Republican luncheon, where Sen John W. Warner of Virginia said senators immediately bowed their heads and said a prayer.
