Ted Kennedy has glioma brain tumor
May 20, 2008
Print This Article
Email this Article
Listen to this Article (MP3)
“Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe,” according to a statement from the doctors treating the senator.
It was first reported that the senator suffered a stroke. It was later determined that he experienced a seizure. In October, Kennedy underwent surgery to clear his cardoid artery in hopes of preventing a stroke.
According to Wikipedia, symptoms of gliomas depend on which part of the central nervous system is affected:
A brain glioma can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting, seizures, and cranial nerve disorders as a result of increased intracranial pressure. A glioma of the optic nerve can cause visual loss. Spinal cord gliomas can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the extremities. Gliomas do not metastasize by the bloodstream, but they can spread via the cerebrospinal fluid and cause “drop metastases” to the spinal cord.
The usual course of treatment for Kennedy’s type of tumor includes radiation and chemotherapy,” the Boston doctors said.
“Decisions regarding the best course of treatment for Senator Kennedy will be determined after further testing and analysis,” the doctors continued.
“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.”
Gliomas are categorized according to their grade from grade 1 to grade 4. A grade 4 prognosis has an average survival time of 12 months. Few patients survive beyond 3 years. It is not known what type of Glioma Kennedy has been diagnosed with.
Comments
Got something to say?