UK NEWS

TEDDY KENNEDY FIGHTS BRAIN CANCER

MALIGNANT TUMOUR: Senator Kennedy, 76

Wednesday May 21,2008

By Jane Wharton

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SENATOR Edward Kennedy, one of America’s political icons, is suffering from a malignant brain tumour, it was revealed last night.

The last surviving brother from the Kennedy dynasty was taken to hospital on Saturday after a seizure.

Teddy, 76, was said to be in “good spirits” and resting comfortably in hospital in Boston.

His second wife Victoria, 54, and children have been with him each day, but have not commented publicly about his health.

Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat said he will require chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the tumour in his left parietal lobe.

In a statement, the Massachusetts General Hospital said: “He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital.

“Senator Kennedy will remain in the hospital for the next couple of days according to routine protocol. He remains in good spirits and full of energy.”

His prognosis depends on how aggressive the tumour is and how well he responds to treatment.

About 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with a similar tumour every year and more than half die within 18 months.

Senator. Kennedy was airlifted to hospital over the weekend after his seizure at the family compound on Cape Cod.

He is one of America’s most famous politicians and the second-longest serving senator, having first taken up his seat in 1962.

He is the youngest of nine siblings, including John F Kennedy and Robert F Kennedy, who were both assassinated in the 1960s.

The politician is known as a dealmaker, able to reach across party lines.

Both rivals and supporters are praying for his health.

Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama offered sympathy after he was taken to hospital. Mr Obama said: “I insist on being optimistic about how it’s going to turn out.”

Senator Kennedy’s influence on the American political landscape was underlined last year when he endorsed Obama over Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. It represented a turning point in the campaign.

Senator Kennedy’s own chances for the presidency were blighted by an accident in 1969.

He drove a car off Chappaquiddick bridge near Martha’s Vineyard but while he escaped unharmed, his passenger, campaign worker Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned.

The politician pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and got a suspended two-month sentence.

He has suffered back problems since a plane crash in 1964 in which the pilot and an aide died.

The father-of-three had surgery in October on a partially-blocked carotid artery in his neck.