Next up for Kennedy: Chemo, radiation

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: MSNBC

DURHAM, N.C. - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was recovering Tuesday at Duke University Medical Center, a day after undergoing an aggressive surgery that experts said was designed to reduce his brain tumor and give chemotherapy and radiation treatments a chance to work.

Doctors gave few details about the surgery, and did not say how much tumor was removed. The procedure lasted about 3 1/2 hours, and when Kennedy emerged, a family spokeswoman said he told his wife, Vicki, that he felt "like a million bucks."

In the following days, Kennedy will probably be given drugs to prevent brain swelling and seizures, which are possible complications of the surgery. The senator will also be closely watched for bleeding and blood clots, because strokes are also a risk, though they are uncommon.

"After a brief recuperation, he will begin targeted radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital and chemotherapy treatment," his doctor, Dr. Allan Friedman, said in a statement following Monday's procedure. "I hope that everyone will join us in praying for Sen. Kennedy to have an uneventful and robust recovery."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24947280/

[hisownpetard]

1. Thanks for posting this, MdeW. I'm amazed at how little coverage there is of this

in general.:hi:

[AndyA]

2. I was relieved to hear Sen. Kennedy made it through surgery OK.

At his age, and especially this type of surgery, it seems risky. But he did fine from what I hear.

I hope he recovers quickly and fully.

I can't imagine having brain surgery and being awake for it! How horrible!

Sending good thoughts to Sen. Kennedy and his family.

[BadgerKid]

3. Part of the fabric of the brain

according to M$M (closed-captioning) this morning. They also mentioned monitoring Kennedy's response during the procedure and, depending, trying to take out more of the tumor. So, my guess is that they might not have been able to get it all.

[dropkickpa]

5. With gliomas they are rarely able to get it all

Gliomas don't do the "ball of cancer" encapsulated thing people tend to think of when they think of tumors. They're more like a sea urchin, with little bits of tumor spreading out from the central mass of the tumor.

[CountAllVotes]

4. Get well soon Senator Kennedy!!!

:dem: