Senator Edward Kennedy diagnosed with brain tumour

Senator Edward Kennedy, the sole surviving son of America’s tragedy-torn political dynasty, has been diagnosed as suffering from a malignant brain tumour.

Doctors treating him following a seizure at the weekend announced today that a biopsy had shown he had a form of cancer known as a glioma in the left side of his brain.

Such tumours are diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans each year and the prognosis appears gloomy: survival rates range from less than 12 months to about five years.

The 76-year-old Democratic senator has been hospitalised in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from the family’s Cape Cod compound. His wife, Victoria, and children have been with him each day but have made no public comment.

The diagnosis today came after initial fears that he had suffered a stroke were dispelled.

His doctor, Larry Ronan, reported that he was in no immediate danger and was watching a Red Sox baseball game with his family.

But today, Dr Ronan issued a fresh statement revealing the preliminary results of a biopsy, adding: “The usual course of treatment includes combinations of various forms of radiation and chemotherapy.”

He said: “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.”

Washington's political world stopped turning today as even long-time opponents held their breath for him. The White House said that President Bush is “deeply saddened” by the news and that he was praying for him. John Kerry, his fellow Massachusetts senator and a close personal friend, broke the news to colleagues at a weekly lunch. Later he described Mr Kennedy as a “living legend” who is “determined to fight this” because he wants to continue fighting for “the people of this country”.

Harry Reid, the Senate Majority leader, today spoke of the “Democratic family’s” love and affection for Mr Kennedy. “He is a model of public service and truly an American icon. Anyone who knows Ted Kennedy knows he is a fighter and he has risen to every challenge he has faced - and he has had plenty. We’re confident that he will rise to this one too.”

John McCain, the Republican nominee-elect who has had his own brush with cancer described Mr Kennedy as the “single most effective member of the Senate”. He added: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to him. We hope and pray that they will be able to treat it, and he will make a full recovery.”

The second-longest serving member of the Senate was first elected in 1962, taking over the seat vacated by his brother, John F Kennedy, when he won the presidency.