Kennedy has 'successful' brain surgery

Senator Edward Kennedy had surgery to treat a cancerous brain tumour today, and his doctor said the procedure “was successful and accomplished our goals”.

The 76-year-old senator now faces chemotherapy and radiation to treat the malignant glioma, a lethal type of brain tumour.

Dr Allan Friedman said his patient was awake during the 3.5-hour procedure, and should experience no permanent neurological effects from the surgery, performed at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

A spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Democrat said Senator Kennedy spoke with his wife, Vicki, immediately after the surgery. He told her: “I feel like a million bucks. I think I’ll do that again tomorrow.”