Patriarch Edward Kennedy stricken with malignant brain tumour

The tragic history of the men in the legendary Kennedy family in the U.S. continues with the news this week that the Democratic patriarch Senator Edward Kennedy is suffering from a malignant brain tumour.

Edward Kennedy who is 76, has been diagnosed with a malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe following a seizure on Saturday and while he is reportedly in "good spirits and full of energy", the prognosis is not good.

Experts say the outlook for patients with such a diagnosis is poor, with average life expectancy depending on the stage of the tumour, from a few months to up to five years.

As a rule malignant glioma kills half its victims within a year, patients rarely survive more than three years and surgery offers no cure for such a tumour as it infiltrates the brain.

Kennedy is being treated at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where doctors say normal treatment for such a condition is radiation and chemotherapy.

Kennedy the patriarch of the family, is the sole surviving brother of assassinated President John F. Kennedy who was killed in 1963, and Robert Kennedy who was shot dead while campaigning for the presidency in 1968.

His eldest brother Joseph died in a plane crash during World War II, and his nephew John F. Kennedy Jr died in 1999 at the age of 38 when the aircraft he was piloting crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

The family have been dogged by misfortune and Edward Kennedy's career was blighted by the death of a young woman, Mary Joe Kopechne, in his car late one night in 1969.

At the time many felt his behaviour was irresponsible and he lost a great deal of support and lost the presidential challenge in 1980 against incumbent Jimmy Carter - and in some respects harmed the Democratic party. Carter lost the general election to Ronald Reagan.

Six months ago Kennedy underwent surgery to clear a blockage in a major neck artery to prevent a stroke.

Doctors say more tests are needed to determine the best course of treatment and Kennedy is expected to remain in hospital for a few days.

Senator Kennedy, a staunch liberal, has served with nine U.S. Presidents and has been described as a giant of the Democratic Party and American politics, a fighter and champion of causes, who has successfully carried on his political career despite repeated tragedy.

He is also a fierce critic of George Bush.