Kennedy has malignant brain tumor

[DanMcQ]

Apologies to those who will immediately call this a parochial Boston issue:

Ted Kennedy diagnosed with malignant glioma

MGH statement:

May 20, 2008 01:19 PM
Statement from Dr. Lee Schwamm, Vice Chairman, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. Larry Ronan, Primary Care Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital:

"Over the course of the last several days, we've done a series of tests on Senator Kennedy to determine the cause of his seizure. He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital. Some of the tests we had performed were inconclusive, particularly in light of the fact that the Senator had severe narrowing of the left carotid artery and underwent surgery just 6 months ago. However, 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. Decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Senator Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis. Senator Kennedy will remain at Massachusetts General Hospital for the next couple of days according to routine protocol. He remains in good spirits and full of energy."

[Boz]

Well, I don't think that's the case, Dan.

I will wish only the best possible outcome of this for Kennedy and his family.

An interesting story, of course, which has been documented by much better people than me. Probably one of the most blessed families in all of American history, yet at the same time, one of the most cursed.

[DanMcQ]

May 20, 2008 13:04:09 GMT -5 Boz said:

Well, I don't think that's the case, Dan.

Boz - being facetious, of course.

[kchoya]

Jeez, why clutter up the board with this parochial Boston junk. Oh, wait...

The guy is a US Senator. That alone merits a post. Then add everything else - I think you're safe in posting Dan.

[rosslynhoya]

May 20, 2008 12:56:06 GMT -5 DanMcQ said:

He remains in good spirits

Was there any doubt?

[EasyEd]

I wish him all the best.

[Frank Black]

Indeed, all the best to him. We should pray that it is not the most common type of malignant tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) which unfortunately almost always kills within two years.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Thanks for that background on things Frank Black. Fortunately, cancer is not very common in my family. Could you explain more about what someone like Senator Kennedy's prognosis could be?

Of course, all of my best to the Kennedy family. Like it or not his family has helped bring Catholicism into the mainstream in America.

[DanMcQ]

St. Pete: prognosis unfortunately does not look good.

www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/kennedy_has_mal.html

But other specialists said that the diagnostic details released by the hospital indicated that Kennedy has terminal brain cancer and most likely less than three years to live -- perhaps much less.

"Unfortunately, it's a really serious tumor," said Dr. Patrick Wen, clinical director for neuro-oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Mass. General's description of the tumor as a malignant glioma probably means the tumor is at stage 3 or 4 on a four-point scale of severity, with 4 the most serious, Wen said.

"The average survival for a Grade 4 tumor is 14 or 15 months," he said. "For a Grade 3 tumor, it's two to three years. Unfortunately, the older you are, the worse it is. The biology of the tumor is worse, it's more aggressive."

It is not clear how long Kennedy will be able to continue working, specialists say. Wen said that many patients do continue to work while undergoing treatment, which includes radiation and a type of chemotherapy pill that is generally well tolerated.

But Dr. Matthew Tilem, a Lahey Clinic neurologist, said, "I would think that most people receiving this diagnosis would retire in the near future."

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Thank you Dan, that is truly and profoundly sad news that no one, regardless of their political stripes should ever have to hear.

Along those lines - some may have seen Senator Byrd's speech today, but I'll post it here for those that haven't - www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0508/Byrd_offers_weeping_tribute_to_Kennedy.html

[jerseyhoya34]

This is tragic news to the Kennedys and the nation. When most in the Senate now win because of skillful campaigning, celebrity, or some other thing, we are slowly losing the Moynihans, Byrds, and others who have the long view of history that most only dream of having. Senator Kennedy will spend most of his remaining days unable to do the work that he has done for decades, but I have no doubt that he will try to get it done. And, maybe in his final days, his opponents will grant him peace as they have graciously done today.

And, in the spirit of SPH's post, here is, perhaps, Kennedy's most remembered speech, unless he has one more left in him:
www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm

[Elvado]

At least he won't die alone in the bottom of a car while his drunken killer swims away to sober up.

[Deleted]

It's nice when people can look past their political and personal views of someone and express themselves in an appropriate, thoughtful way. Georgetown has taught us well how to treat others.

[Elvado]

I was being nice. Ask the Kopechnes' how they feel.

[HoyaNyr320]

May 21, 2008 6:17:24 GMT -5 Elvado said:

At least he won't die alone in the bottom of a car while his drunken killer swims away to sober up.

There's a time for a discussion about this incident, which occured almost 40 years ago. Now is not the time. People make mistakes during their lives and you may believe that Senator Kennedy will have to answer for this particular mistake- that's fine. However, this man was diagnosed with brain cancer yesterday. Try to show a little respect and decency. If you believe in the whole judgement thing, these are some good qualities to learn for your own benefit.

[Elvado]

I don't wish ill on anyone. However, I don't believe in "redemption via tragedy" or "my illness excuses my failures" either. In my narrow (admittedly so) view, he was a bad guy before he got sick and this changes nothing.

[hoyatables]

We're also (I hope) judged on the totality of our life and not an individual incident. For all his failings, Senator Kennedy has done good for many Americans during his years of public service. And in any event, none of us have the power or right to judge.

[hoya9797]

What is so tragic about an old guy who just found out how he is going to die? It's tragic when a 3 year old kid who never got a chance to experience life gets terminal cancer. Not so much when it's a 78 year old guy.

[Elvado]

Thank you. Very well said. Just think how many cocktail waittresses wouldn't have been groped in DC if not for good old Ted and Chris Dodd.

[kchoya]

May 21, 2008 10:54:13 GMT -5 hoyatables said:

We're also (I hope) judged on the totality of our life and not an individual incident. For all his failings, Senator Kennedy has done good for many Americans during his years of public service. And in any event, none of us have the power or right to judge.

Well, if you're going to go about it that way, killing someone is a pretty big negative.