Despite early reports that brain surgery would not be an option for Senator Edward Kennedy, the lawmaker is recovering after a successful operation, which was carried out at Duke University Medical Center today.

The delicate procedure was performed by Allan Friedman, a highly-respected neurosurgeon, and will be followed by focused radiation and chemotherapy. Since none of those treatments can cure brain cancer, the senator may want to try some promising new medications.

According to The Boston Globe, Dr. Lawrence C. Horowitz and other former Kennedy staff members are scouring the medical literature in search of experimental treatments that may keep their friend alive.

Last week, we suggested that he try a dose of radioactive scorpion venom, which can selectively destroy glioblastoma cells while leaving healthy brain tissue unharmed. In a similar move, yesterday, Forbes pointed out that Kennedy may benefit from an experimental cancer vaccine.

Several sources, including National Public Radio, have indicated that he may use Avastin – an antibody, which starves tumors by intercepting a molecule that causes blood vessel growth. Although that drug is widely used to treat colon cancer, it has not been formally accepted as a therapy for brain tumors.

So far, the public does not know what kind of tumor Kennedy has, except that it is a glioma. If you have any technical details about his biopsy results, or his chemotherapy and radiation regimen, please send us a note or leave a comment.

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Image courtesy of the United States Government